West Virginia economic development official testifies before Congress

WASHINGTON (WV News) — The executive director of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development testified before Congress Wednesday about the importance of the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Mike Graney, who spoke during a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, said the agency plays a vital role in facilitating projects in small, rural communities throughout the Mountain State.

“In my brief time in this role, I have a clear understanding and belief that the U.S. EDA is a critical partner to West Virginia,” he said.

Since 2018, the EDA has awarded more than $220 million to projects in the state, Graney said.

“EDA’s assistance to coal communities has funded so many critical projects in West Virginia since its inception,” he said. “It’s wonderful to have a federal agency that understands the plight of rural America as it struggles to rebuild its economy after documented economic shocks.”

Graney was invited to speak by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the committee’s ranking member, ahead of reauthorization of the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

“Gov. Jim Justice assembled a tremendous team of economic development experts and leaders who work tirelessly for the betterment of my home state of West Virginia,” said Capito when introducing Graney. “Economic development is difficult work, but the reward for West Virginia is obvious.”

“Mr. Graney and the rest of his team will work with all governmental levels to bring economic opportunity to our state,” she said.

Congress last authorized the EDA 20 years ago, Capito said.

“Thankfully, we are kicking off this process to develop legislation to reauthorize the EDA,” she said. “Time and time again, this committee has proven that we can work together in a bipartisan manner, to pass meaningful legislation that tackles the nation’s challenges and needs.”

Capito expressed four goals for the reauthorization process:

Reauthorizing EDA programs at fiscally responsible funding levels and reasserting congressional direction over EDA funding decisions

Enhancing congressional oversight of EDA activities and encouraging coordination between other federal [economic] development programs and the private sector

Updating EDA’s processes for program implementation and project delivery

Preserving locally driven economic development decisions.

“We must achieve an appropriate balance with this legislation,” she said. “That balance must uphold the core functions and goals of the EDA, while thoughtfully modernizing the EDA and its authorities and programs.”

Infrastructure must remain at the core of the EDA’s work, Graney said.

“Infrastructure has, and I hope will continue to be, the focus of a large percentage of EDA applications,” he said. “It’s the link to expanding and sustaining our existing businesses and critical to the attraction of new businesses and industry.”