Gov. Tombin presents 13 communities with Small Cities Block Gratnts.

“Today’s grant funding kicks off a number of anticipated improvement projects in cities and communities across West Virginia,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Economic development projects and infrastructure improvements, like those supported by the Small Cities Block Grant program, are investments that not only open the door to new business prospects, but also improve the quality of life for West Virginians now and for years to come.”

                Small Cities Block Grant funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Community Development Division of the West Virginia Development Office manages the administration of these funds.

This $10 million project will enable the Greenbrier Public Service District to extend water service in and around several Greenbrier County communities along I-64 / US Rt. 60 including, but not limited to, Crawley, Shawver’s Crossing, Sam Black Church, Clintonville, Alta, Williamsburg and Trout to more than 400 new households. The project will provide water service to customers who currently rely on wells and cisterns. The project will also provide an interconnection to the Town of Rupert, which will enable the town’s aging plant to be placed on standby status.

This $1.28 million project will enable the Northern Jackson Public Service District to extend water service to 54 new household customers along Trace Fork Road.  The project will provide reliable water service to area residents who currently rely on private wells and other water collection methods.

This $3.6 million project will enable the Lewis County Commission to extend water service to 96 households in the Churchville and Sugar Camp area, including Laurel Run, Mare Run, Limestone Run and Murphy Creek areas in the Northwest Lewis Water Extension. This area is currently served by individual wells, many of which have low quantity and quality.

This $4.57 million project will enable the Lincoln County Public Service District to extend safe drinking water to 147 new household customers in the areas of Lower Mud River, Laurel Creek, Straight Fork, Buffalo Creek, Little Buffalo Creek, and surrounding areas.  The project includes a 100,000 gallon storage tank; one pressure reducing station; and 51 fire hydrants, valves, and individual customer services.

This $4.95 million project will enable the Logan County Public Service District to extend water service to approximately 195 residential households in the communities of Big Harts Creek, Smokehouse Road, White Oak Branch, and surrounding areas of Logan County. The project will provide a reliable source of water in the project area which is currently served by private wells.

This $2.1 million project will allow the Colfax Public Service District to decommission its waste water treatment plant; and extend the Colfax sewage system to the Kingmill Valley Public Service District, benefitting a total of 230 households. This project promotes a regional approach to the provision of critical public services and eliminates duplication of treatment facilities. The project will protect public water sources by halting overflow into the Tygart Valley River, which is upstream from the Town of Monongah and the City of Fairmont’s public water intakes.

This $4.35 million project will enable the Town of Marlinton to upgrade its existing water treatment plant and water storage system to 721 households.  The project will also enable the town to replace three water storage tanks; update booster stations, install telemetry to the plant, tanks and boosters; and complete related upgrades throughout the system to ensure its long-term viability.

This $5.1 million project will enable the Oakvale Road Public Service District to extend water service to approximately 150 new households in the Elgood area, including the communities of Elgood, Twin Oaks and Christians Ridge in Eastern Mercer County. The project will include the installation of new water lines, booster stations, water storage tank and related improvements needed to provide safe drinking water to area residents.

This $6.35 million project will allow the Town of Northfork to replace the existing water system which serves the Upland, Powhatan, Kyle, Northfork and Keystone communities and provide a second water source for the Maybeury Water Treatment Plant, serving a total of more than 400 households. This project replaces a water distribution system that has exceeded its useful life and is plagued by frequent line breaks and water loss.

This $1.5 million project will enable the Town of Paw Paw to replace old water lines throughout the project area to serve more than 240 households. This project will establish a more reliable and efficient water system for the Paw Paw residents as its current water distribution system is outdated, inefficient and often unsafe.

This $5.1 million project will enable the City of Pennsboro to complete the third and final phase of necessary upgrades to its aging and antiquated wastewater treatment plant that services approximately 590 households. This project allows the Town of Pennsboro to comply with a consent order to correct deficiencies at the wastewater treatment plant.

This $6.4 million project will allow the Town of Richwood to improve its municipal water system and extend water service to approximately 115 new households of the Hinkle Mountain and Little Laurel Creek areas. This project will provide these residents with a reliable source of water, some of whom are forced to treat the water in their homes or transport it from other sources.