West Virginia Press Association
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development West Virginia State Director Ryan Thorn has announced that Rural Development is investing $12 million to strengthen infrastructure, enhance public safety, and support economic opportunities.
“The funding announced today will have significant positive impact on the people living in these communities,” said Thorn. “These investments are a testament of Rural Development’s commitment under the Biden-Harris Administration of creating new opportunities from the bottom-up, and middle-out, while leaving no one or no community behind.”
In total, Rural Development is investing $11,988,900 in the following five projects across West Virginia:
- In Braxton County, the Flatwoods Canoe Run Public Service District received $4,975,000 to help complete a Sewer System Evaluation Study, and construct approximately 19,260 feet of gravity sewer pipe, 5,530 feet of force main, 97 manholes, 11 gravity line cleanouts, 10 force-main cleanouts, one lift station, one grinder pumping station, and other necessary fixtures.
- In Grant County, the City of Petersburg received $5,508,000 to construct various improvements to its water treatment, storage, and distributions systems. The city’s customers will benefit by seeing improvements to the quality and quantity of the water.
- In Harrison County, the Worthington Volunteer Fire Department received $214,000 to purchase a 2,100-gallon fire tanker to service the town of Worthington, Marion and Harrison counties.
- In Morgan County, the Town of Paw Paw received $41,900 to purchase an all-wheel drive police vehicle to assist with the town’s police department. The department currently has one operational patrol vehicle for their entire department.
- In Randolph County, the Randolph County Development Authority received $1,250,000 to build an event center at the former Elkins Railyard site. The new Railyard Event Center will be a 26,500 square foot event center. Half of the building will be dedicated to a theater style seating setup, and the other half will be flexible open space for exhibition space and events. It will also house a commercial kitchen, heritage exhibition space, and administrative space.
The investments are being made through Rural Development’s Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program and the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and healthcare; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/wv.
