CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today applauded the announcement made by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross that the department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.2 million grant to the town of Beverly, West Virginia. Specifically, the funding will be used to make flood control infrastructure improvements needed to protect manufacturing and other businesses from flooding. The EDA grant, to be located near a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will be matched with $380,000 in state funds and $430,000 in local funds, and is expected to retain 499 jobs and generate more than $23 million in private investment.
Senator Capito was an early supporter of the Opportunity Zones program, which was included as a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to help spur growth in economically distressed areas. Senator Capito not only was a co-sponsor of this provision, but she was the only West Virginia senator to vote for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
“This investment in Beverly will go far in helping modernize sewer infrastructure and protect businesses from future flood damage,” said Senator Capito. “The EDA continues to be a valued partner in West Virginia’s economic growth, and thanks to this project, even more development can come to the area in the nearby Opportunity Zone.”
“President Trump is committed to helping communities impacted by natural disasters improve their infrastructure to ensure that businesses can keep operating in the event of future severe storms,” said Secretary Ross. “This sewer infrastructure improvement project will provide local manufacturers and businesses with updated infrastructure to maintain operations, and the nearby Opportunity Zone will attract additional investment to the region.”
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