WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced a $2.9 million Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Raleigh County Public Service District for construction of a new water treatment plant to support business expansion. This Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant, to be matched with $6.6 million in local funds, is expected to create 22 jobs, retain 397 jobs, and generate $4 million in private investment.

“As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I support EDA’s efforts to improve our nation’s critical infrastructure. These investments expand opportunities for economic development and help retain businesses already in communities. It is welcome news that EDA is continuing to support initiatives in West Virginia that strengthen water and wastewater infrastructure in Sophia and Raleigh County. I look forward to further improving West Virginia’s infrastructure both above and below ground through my committee assignments and relationships with partners like EDA,” Ranking Member Capito said

“Last August, I wrote to the EDA in support of a project in Sophia that would construct a new water treatment plant which would attract new businesses, create and retain jobs and spur economic growth in the region. Today the EDA announced an investment of nearly $3 million in Sophia to build that new treatment plant, which is great news for the region and the whole Mountain State,” Senator Manchin said. “The EDA continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia, and I will continue to work with them to promote business growth and create jobs across the state.”

BACKGROUND:

This project is funded under the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. 

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