CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $21,590,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program for six West Virginia localities. The funding will support upgrades to water and wastewater infrastructure in Harrison, Mercer, Mingo, Taylor and Tyler counties and renovations to the historic Fort Henry building in Wheeling.

“Having safe, reliable water and wastewater systems in West Virginia’s rural communities is not a luxury, it is essential,” Senator Capito said. “The grants announced today are great news for Ohio, Harrison, Mercer, Mingo, Taylor, and Tyler counties, and will provide critical upgrades for local sewage, water, and wastewater infrastructure in these areas.”

“Every West Virginian deserves clean water to drink and fresh air to breathe. Investing in our rural communities spurs economic growth and creates good-paying jobs, and I am pleased USDA is investing in these six sites to improve water quality, strengthen local water infrastructure, expand clean water service to new communities and renovate the historic Fort Henry building in Wheeling. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding to ensure our rural communities across the Mountain State have the resources they need to thrive,” Senator Manchin said.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $1,000,000 (Grant), $4,900,000 (Loan) – City of Grafton, West Virginia
    • This funding will be used to make wastewater system improvements, including the separation of the sewer system within the drainage shed, which would significantly decrease the amount of inflow and infiltration in the collection system.
  • $1,000,000 (Grant), $2,433,000 (Loan) – Town of Kermit, West Virginia
    • This funding will be used to address issues with the water system in the eastern Kermit area. The project will remove and replace the waterline along U.S. Route 52 and upgrade the water treatment plant, which will consist of replacing new high service pumps and controls, upgrading the interior piping, constructing a building and performing electrical upgrades.
  • $900,000 (Grant), $3,500,000 (Loan) – City of Stonewood, West Virginia
    • This funding will be used by the City of Stonewood to correct several problem areas in their sewer system, including the replacement of aging and failing portions of the collection system and upgrades to the pump stations.
  • $675,000 (Grant), $1,015,000 (Loan) – Tyler County Public Service District, West Virginia
    • This funding will be used to upgrade deficiencies in water and waste disposal systems, including replacing Cow House and Oil Ridge booster stations, addressing erosion issues and replacing and rebuilding valves.
  • $487,000 (Grant), $480,000 (Loan) – Bluewell Public Service District, West Virginia
    • This funding will be used to provide public water service to 106 additional households in the Browning-Lambert Mountain area of Mercer County. Residents in this area currently do not have a safe and reliable source of water.
  • $5,200,000 (Loan) – Fort Henry building in Wheeling, West Virginia
    • This funding will be used to restore the historic Fort Henry building in Wheeling, including renovations to the first, third and fourth floors.

 

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