Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.57 Million to Provide Critical Water Service to Serve Businesses in Piedmont, West Virginia

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $1.57 million grant to the city of Piedmont, West Virginia, to provide critical water service to address an emergency water supply loss due to a local water treatment plant closure. The EDA grant, to be matched with $394,130 in state funds, is expected to save 100 jobs.

“President Trump is working diligently to help communities improve their infrastructure so that they can remain competitive,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This new water line will provide Piedmont with the critical infrastructure needed to support pre-existing businesses and any potential business growth.”

“It is crucial for us to support America’s infrastructure for business maintenance, development and success,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “EDA is pleased to work with the city of Piedmont to ensure that local employers have potable water to continue their operations.”

“We’re extremely grateful that federal EDA funds are being made available to make sure that the citizens and businesses in Piedmont, and the surrounding area in Mineral County, will have still have access to potable water,” said Governor Jim Justice. “This is going to preserve jobs and allow families to remain in their existing homes with reliable water service.”

“Piedmont and the surrounding region have been devastated by the loss of the Verso Mill. This funding is a small measure to help alleviate some of the stress caused by this loss,” said Senator Joe Manchin. “The city of Piedmont has gone without clean water for too long and every West Virginian deserves to have access to clean water. I am grateful that the EDA is helping fund the construction of this new water line. Most of all, I am thankful to all the local leaders who fought so hard for this project. I look forward to seeing the new facility providing the citizens of Piedmont with clean water and will continue to fight for federal funding that strengthens our economy and saves jobs.”

“This is truly great news for our state, especially for our residents in Piedmont and Mineral County,” said Senator Shelley Capito. “As Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works‘ (EPW) Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure that oversees EDA, I am very pleased to have secured this crucial investment that builds off of my initial efforts with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) from this past October. In addition to saving jobs and supporting local business, this funding will provide critical water infrastructure to the Piedmont community and secure access to clean water for countless West Virginians. Maintaining this water supply has been essential as I worked closely with EDA, USACE, and the local community, and I could not be more thrilled that the Piedmont community will now have this confirmation. I will continue to fight for the needs of West Virginians through my work with EPW and EDA, and make sure that the infrastructure of our state remains a priority.”

“This is an efficient and cost-effective solution for ensuring that supply of water to the residents and businesses of Piedmont is not disrupted,” said Congressman David McKinley (WV-01). “Project leaders, representing the Piedmont Town Council, the Regional Planning commission and the project engineers have worked diligently to prevent a true emergency from developing.”

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.