Highlight: Assistant Secretary Fleming and Senator Capito Celebrate Veteran’s Day in West Virginia with EDA Announcement and Pinning Ceremony

On November 11, Assistant Secretary Fleming joined U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito and U.S. Representative Carol Miller to announce eight EDA grants totaling more than $7 million to the state of West Virginia to develop infrastructure needed for business growth and workforce training programs.

Assistant Secretary Fleming also delivered the keynote address at Charleston, West Virginia’s Veteran’s Day ceremony and assisted Senator Capito in presenting Welcome Home pins and proclamations to 19 Vietnam Veterans.

More than half of the projects announced in West Virginia are in or near Opportunity Zones, an initiative made possible through President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Opportunity Zones aim to spur growth in economically distressed areas by incentivizing private investment in communities that need it the most.

In his remarks at the grant announcement event, Assistant Secretary Fleming said, “We are pleased to work closely with West Virginia’s Governor, Senators, and Representatives to support local-devised strategies aimed at driving private investment to the state. We congratulate our grantees on their focus and commitment to strengthening their communities.”

Senator Capito, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works, (EPW) Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee added, “Improving our economy, revitalizing communities, and creating opportunities for West Virginians has been a top priority of mine since day one.

“That’s exactly why after just two months of being a United States Senator, I made it a priority to meet directly with EDA leadership to encourage them to invest in West Virginia—specifically focusing on projects that spur economic growth. My position on the Senate Appropriations Committee and my chairmanship on the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee have allowed me the opportunity to deliver real and tangible results for West Virginians, and today’s announcement is a perfect example of this.

“I’m proud to have Assistant Secretary Dr. Fleming with me today in West Virginia to announce this important funding that will provide much-needed support to projects in every corner of West Virginia, and I look forward to continuing our efforts together to make West Virginia the best place to live and work.”