WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced $292,329 in grant funding from the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and Rural Business Development Grants to provide economic development opportunities to rural West Virginia businesses. This funding will be used to make energy efficient improvements, provide entrepreneurship training, develop facilities and conduct a feasibility study.

“Investing in our rural businesses is essential for economic growth,” Senator Capito said. “Small businesses – like the ones receiving this funding – are truly the backbone of our economy, and I am glad to see additional resources headed their way so they can continue to grow, succeed and strengthen our communities throughout the state.”

“As the economy changes in the twenty-first century, it is important for West Virginia businesses to implement practices that will garner the most success,” said Senator Manchin. “These grants will ensure these businesses have the resources to adequately compete and thrive in the future, so that rural communities can continue creating products we West Virginians know and love.”

REAP provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agriculture producers and rural small businesses. Eligible businesses must exist in a rural area and gain 50% of their gross income from agricultural operations. Rural Business Development Grants provide technical assistance and training to small and emerging private, rural businesses. Eligible businesses employ 50 or fewer employees and have less than $1 million in grow revenue.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $50,605 – The Hardy County Rural Development Association in Moorefield to develop a large farmers’ market facility.
  • $50,605 – The Food Group, Inc. in the Eastern Panhandle will complete a feasibility study to review the viability of a community kitchen.
  • $47,250 – West Virginia Building, LLC in Huntington to develop a renewable energy system.
  • $35,605 – Heart and Hand House, Inc. in Philippi to complete energy efficient improvements at The Market Place.
  • $35,490 – Cholpon Ata Development, LLC to assist in making energy-efficient improvements to their operations.
  • $30,610 – Innovative Community Solutions, Inc. in Martinsburg to implement an Entrepreneurship Training program in collaboration with Martinsburg VAMC and Veterans Affairs. The program will train formerly incarcerated veterans, and also non-veterans, with a focus on IT management.
  • $27,562 – Bavarian Inn, Inc. in Shepherdstown to develop a renewable energy system on their operation.
  • $14,602 – Cholpon Ata Development, LLC to assist in developing a renewable energy system to their operations. 

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