Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests to Make Critical Water Infrastructure Improvements Needed to Spur Business Growth in Doddridge County, West Virginia

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $962,000 grant to the Doddridge County Public Service District to provide water service at a 50-acre commercial site located out of the floodplain in Doddridge County, West Virginia. The EDA grant, to be matched with $962,000 in local investment, is expected to create 40 jobs.

“The Trump Administration is working diligently to help communities impacted by natural disasters to both recover and build back stronger,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dr. John Fleming. “Providing developable land outside of the floodplain in Doddridge County will ensure that businesses can withstand and quickly recover in the event of future floods. This infrastructure project is also critically needed to support the expected expansion of natural gas production in the region.”

Flooding that occurred in July 2017 damaged roads, bridges, and water supply lines in Doddridge County, disrupting clean water availability, electricity, transportation and communication. This investment will assist with recovery and resiliency efforts.

This project is funded under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (PL 115-123) (PDF), in which Congress appropriated to EDA $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program (PDF) funds for disaster relief and recovery as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, wildfires and other calendar year 2017 natural disasters under the Stafford Act.

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.