U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $11.1 Million to Expand Workforce Development and Strengthen Infrastructure in West Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $11.1 million in the state of West Virginia to support infrastructure improvements and workforce development programs that diversify and grow the state’s economy.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• The Boone County Public Service District in Danville will receive a $4 million grant for waterline extension work at the Mountain State Clean Energy complex. The project will be matched with $1 million in local funds and is expected to create more than 500 jobs and generate $10 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
• The Wyoming County Economic Development Authority in Pineville will receive a $3.8 million grant for expansion of the Rockefeller Industrial Park. The project will be matched with $950,400 in local funds and is expected to create or retain 50 jobs and generate $1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
• Kingwood Water Works in Kingwood will receive a $2.5 million grant for water infrastructure improvements. The project will be matched with $626,800 in local funds.
• Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in Martinsburg will receive a $797,512 grant to support creation of a new Commercial Driver's License (CDL) certification program. The project will be matched with $200,000 in local funds and is expected to create or retain nearly 120 jobs.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring that all communities in West Virginia and across the country have the resources they need to grow and thrive,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These EDA investments will support economic development that will diversify West Virginia’s economy by increasing workforce development and improving infrastructure.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “EDA is proud to partner with communities throughout West Virginia to create hands-on training opportunities and improve vital infrastructure to ensure the Mountain State maintains a competitive economy.”

“It’s critical that we make the necessary investments in our communities to create long-term economic growth and good-paying jobs,” said Senator Joe Manchin. “These EDA investments will bolster West Virginia’s infrastructure and create programs to improve the skills, knowledge and capabilities of our workforce. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to support economic development opportunities across the Mountain State.”

“Improving water infrastructure, expanding industrial parks, and investing in the capabilities of our workforce are all ways to further economic development and strengthen our communities,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito. “As Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I have made it a priority to work with EDA to support projects in my state that drive development, and improve the lives of our residents. These four projects support that mission and I look forward to the impact they will make across West Virginia.”

This project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

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.