WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced $191,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Development program. Four organizations in Barbour, Hardy and Monroe counties will use this funding for individual business development projects.

“West Virginia small businesses are an integral part of our state’s economy. This funding will not only help promote local farmers, support new and existing agriculture programs and establish a new retail business incubator, it will help put these communities on a path toward long-term success,” said Senator Capito, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“These investments in our rural communities will provide much needed resources to West Virginia small businesses,” Senator Manchin said. “Helping local businesses to expand is a smart investment and will help improve the quality of life for residents of our communities, attract new businesses that create jobs, and make West Virginia a better place to live, work, and play.”

The individual award amounts below:

  • $53,000 – Monroe County Council on Aging: Funding will be used for the restoration of the Old Greenville School (OGS) to support the Farm to School, Farm to Family and Farm to Business initiatives through the Monroe Farm Market Cooperative in Monroe County.
  • $53,000 – Farm Work Wonders Corporation: Funding will be used for the operation and marketing of the Wardensville Garden Market which will promote local farmers and specialty agriculture products in Hardy and Hampshire Counties. 
  • $32,000 – Eastern WV Community & Technical College Foundation: Funding will be used for the development and implementation of agriculture development program including Agriculture Action Council, Ag-Innovation Program, Farm Transition Plan and Bicohar Research and Education Initiative.
  • $53,000 – Barbour County Development Authority: Funding will be used for the purpose of leasing the GC Murphy Building in downtown Philippi to open and operate a retail business incubator to assist both existing and new emerging business enterprises.

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