Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.9 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance for New Water Treatment Plant to Spur Business Expansion in Sophia, West Virginia

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.9 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Raleigh County Public Service District, Sophia, West Virginia, for construction of a new water treatment plant to support business expansion. This EDA grant, to be matched with $6.6 million in local funds, is expected to create 22 jobs, retain 397 jobs, and generate $4 million in private investment.

“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in the Raleigh County Public Service District will provide the community with a reliable, continuous source of water to allow more than 230 industrial and commercial customers to grow and expand their business operations.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This investment will support the expansion plans of businesses in Sophia to create jobs and foster economic resiliency, helping the community build back stronger from the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.”

“As always, we truly appreciate the EDA’s continued commitment to West Virginia,” said Governor Jim Justice. “These dollars are going to go a long way toward growth in the Town of Sophia and throughout Raleigh County. With this grant, and all the jobs and extra investment that will come along with it, we are going to truly be able to help this community rebound from the past year in a really positive way.”

“Last August, I wrote to the EDA in support of a project in Sophia that would construct a new water treatment plant which would attract new businesses, create and retain jobs and spur economic growth in the region. Today the EDA announced an investment of nearly $3 million in Sophia to build that new treatment plant, which is great news for the region and the whole Mountain State,” said Senator Joe Manchin. “The EDA continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia, and I will continue to work with them to promote business growth and create jobs across the state.”

“As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I support EDA’s efforts to improve our nation’s critical infrastructure. These investments expand opportunities for economic development and help retain businesses already in communities. It is welcome news that EDA is continuing to support initiatives in West Virginia that strengthen water and wastewater infrastructure in Sophia and Raleigh County. I look forward to further improving West Virginia’s infrastructure both above and below ground through my committee assignments and relationships with partners like EDA,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

“I’m pleased the Raleigh County Public Service District will receive this CARES Act grant to build a new water treatment plant,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-03). “Through the construction of this facility, these funds will help support small businesses, keep West Virginians employed, and bolster Raleigh County’s infrastructure. Today’s announcement moves West Virginia another step forward in our effort to recover from COVID-19 and revitalize our economy.”

This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136 PDF), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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.