WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced last week that Preston County Public Service District 4 will receive a $2.3 million grant.

The money is part of $4,887,325 in grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to communities in West Virginia.

Preston County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Robbie Baylor said the money will help with a project to drill at least one additional water well and rehab another well for PSD 4. It’s the first of a couple projects for the water system, all necessary to meet the expanding demand in the district’s service area, she said.

“Northern Preston County obviously has the interstate running through it, and that’s where we’re seeing the business growth, as well as the housing growth,” Baylor said.

The wells project will cost about $3.14 million total. The Preston County Commission has committed $155,712 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to it, and PSD 4 is also applying for a grant of about $700,000 from the West Virginia Economic Enhancement fund.

The project is in the design phase now, and the district expects to advertise for bids in the first half of this year, with construction to start in 2024, Baylor said. Construction is expected to be complete by July 2024.

Permits and West Virginia Public Service Commission approval are also being sought.

The project is expected to support the creation of 69 jobs, retain 86 jobs and generate $6.2 million in private investment, according to the application. Baylor said that’s a combination of existing businesses in northern Preston County and the potential for new ones.

In statements issued with the grant announcement, both senators praised the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

“The EDA is a key partner in growing our state’s local economies, and today’s grant announcement strengthens that collaboration across West Virginia,” Capito said. “These grants will provide a boost to our core infrastructure, increase research capacity, jump-start development planning, create jobs, and help prepare the future workforce here in West Virginia. I look forward to seeing the impact of these investments and, as ranking member of the EPW Committee, will continue to lead efforts to support our communities through EDA.”

“Investing in our local communities creates good-paying jobs and spurs economic opportunity, and today’s announcement is great news for the entire state,” Manchin said. “The EDA continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia, and these investments will strengthen economic development planning, upgrade water infrastructure, promote technology job training programs and more. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding for years to come and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to support economic growth across the Mountain State.”

The next project for PSD 4 will be to upgrade its water treatment plant, Baylor said.