Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Wastewater System Upgrades Needed to Support Business and Job Growth in Davis, West Virginia

Award is Part of the Department of Commerce’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.5 million grant to the Canaan Valley Public Service District, Davis, West Virginia, for construction of a wastewater treatment plant to support current and future business needs. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment.

This grant will provide wastewater infrastructure capacity needed to service established businesses and attract new businesses to the region, which has been impacted by the decline in the coal economy. The EDA investment will be matched with $1.5 million in local funds and is expected to create 113 jobs, retain 165 jobs and generate $12.3 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden and this Administration continue to support community-led efforts to strengthen and grow regional economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will provide the wastewater treatment capacity necessary for local businesses to create jobs and build economic resiliency in the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support the city of Davis as it works to grow the region’s economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will replace aging water infrastructure to give the region a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses and jobs, making the local economy more resilient and better equipped to overcome future economic disruptions.”

“I was proud to commit $1.5 million in State funds to this project through our Department of Economic Development’s infrastructure dollars, and now I’m even more excited to welcome the EDA’s additional support,” said Governor Jim Justice. “This project is incredibly important for so many West Virginians. By investing in infrastructure like this wastewater treatment plant, we will be able to draw more businesses, opportunities, jobs, and prosperity to the Town of Davis, Tucker County, and the entire surrounding region. I’m grateful to the EDA for its continued commitment to West Virginia communities.”

“West Virginia continues to see the benefits of critical American Rescue Plan investments that spur economic development and create good-paying, long-term jobs,” said Senator Joe Manchin. “I’m pleased the EDA is supporting upgrades to wastewater infrastructure in Davis to strengthen the local economy and attract new business opportunities to the region. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding for years to come, and I will continue working with the EDA to boost economic growth across the Mountain State.”

“This investment in the Canaan Valley Public Service District will be a key component paving the way for continued expansion of West Virginia’s tourism industry,” said Congressman David B. McKinley (WV-01). “The improved wastewater infrastructure capacity will be crucial in creating new jobs and expanding economic opportunities for the region. It is exciting to share with visitors and West Virginians alike what makes Canaan Valley so wonderful, and this investment, paired with local funds and private investments, will help allow this region to thrive like never before.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.

EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment allocates $300 million of EDA’s $3 billion American Rescue Plan appropriation to support coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA has dedicated $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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.