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.), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $ 1,590,154 from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to the University of Charleston to establish a Downtown Innovation Hub in Charleston, W.Va. This project will assist small businesses in creating economic opportunities, and is expected to help create 95 jobs, retain 195 jobs, and generate $6.3 million in private investment.

“West Virginia’s small businesses are truly the backbone of our local economies,” Ranking Member Capito said. “Our small businesses deserve to operate in an environment that fosters and encourages growth, and the creation of the Downtown Innovation Hub in Charleston will help do just that. Through my leadership role on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I have worked to increase EDA’s involvement in our communities, bringing critical funding into our state that creates and retains jobs by attracting private investment. Today’s announcement is welcome news, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have in Kanawha County.”

“The EDA continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia, and today’s announcement is great news for the University of Charleston and the entire Kanawha County community. The new Downtown Innovation Hub will support sustainable economic growth throughout the region that will create good-paying jobs and spur economic opportunity,” Senator Manchin said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding for the Charleston community, our small businesses and the entire Mountain State.”

This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. ACC projects support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities. 

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