U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5.3 Million to Support Business Growth and Job Creation in West Virginia

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $5.3 million in grants to support West Virginia communities economically impacted by the declining use of coal and the coronavirus pandemic.

• Warm Springs Public Service District, Berkeley Springs, will receive a $3.2 million grant for water and sewer system upgrades to support business growth and job creation. This EDA investment will be matched with $2.7 million in local funds and is expected to create 89 jobs, retain 195 jobs and generate $8.2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
• Mingo County Redevelopment Authority, Williamson, will receive a $2.1 million grant for sewer system upgrades and roadway improvements at the Mingo County Air Transportation Park in support of job creation and economic resilience. This EDA investment will be matched with $520,000 in local funds and is expected to create 30 jobs, retain 15 jobs and generate $4 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden Administration is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will support West Virginia businesses as they work to build stronger, more robust local economies.”

“The Economic Development Administration is dedicated to working with communities to support their locally-driven strategies to recover and rebuild from the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “These projects will lay the foundation to create jobs and build a stronger, more diverse regional economy.”

“Investing in our local communities creates good-paying jobs and spurs economic opportunity, and today’s announcement is great news for Berkeley Springs and Mingo County,” said Senator Joe Manchin. “The EDA continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia, and these investments in Morgan and Mingo counties will upgrade water, wastewater and roadway infrastructure, which will strengthen economic development and boost our growing tourism industry. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding and I will continue working with the EDA to support economic growth across the Mountain State.”

“The EDA is a key partner for communities that are innovating and growing, and today’s announcement is another example of that collaboration and support,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito. “With this funding, both Berkeley Springs and Williamson will be able to upgrade their water and sewer systems, drive business investments, and create jobs. I’m excited to see the benefits these grants bring to West Virginia, and as the top Republican on the committee that oversees EDA, I’ll continue to look for ways to support our local economies.”

“I am pleased to see that West Virginia has received this EDA grant to support water and sewer system upgrades in Berkeley Springs,” said Congressman Alex Mooney (WV-02). “This investment is vital to the competitive future of Morgan County. Solid investments in local communities are critical to the growth of business and commerce.”

These projects are funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. ACC projects support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.

These awards are a great example of what communities can do under EDA’s new American Rescue Plan programs; particularly the $300 million Coal Communities Commitment. This investment will ensure that coal communities have the resources they need to recover from the pandemic and will help create new jobs and opportunities, including through the development or expansion of a new industry sector.

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.