HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today hosted U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) in Huntington for a number of visits focused on economic development and Opportunity Zones, a federal program that offers tax incentives to promote private investment in economically distressed areas.
To highlight the Investing in Opportunity Act (IIOA), which was included in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Senator Scott has been conducting a nationwide Opportunity Tour. Huntington, which is home to three of these Opportunity Zones, marked the eighth stop on the tour and included several visits with local business and government leaders.
“It was so great to hear directly from city leaders how Opportunity Zones can shape growth in Huntington, across West Virginia, and around the country,” Senator Capito said. “I’m grateful to Senator Scott for making this trip and excited West Virginia community leaders are ready to get moving with Opportunity Zones in their hometowns.”
"West Virginia truly is ripe for opportunity. Today’s four stops in Huntington with Senator Capito brought to life so much of what my Investing in Opportunity Act can do,” Senator Scott said. “People are finding purpose, jobs are being produced, and ideas are becoming reality. I can't wait to see how this community continues to fulfill their potential through the Opportunity Zones and look forward to seeing it prosper."
“We are grateful that Senator Capito chose to bring Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina to Huntington to observe firsthand what we have been able to do to attract investment into our city and to also observe what we aspire to become in the coming decades,” Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said. “We thank Senator Capito and Senator Scott for working so diligently to create a new innovative tool such as Opportunity Zones to enable small cities like Huntington to aggressively seek investment that will establish 21st Century opportunities for our families.”
Huntington Fire Chief Jan Rader tours Senators Capito and Scott around the downtown area to highlight how Huntington is working to revitalize abandoned properties.
Senator Capito greets Huntington residents.
Students and community leaders join the senators for a discussion on how Opportunity Zones can be a valuable tool for communities across West Virginia.
Senators Capito and Scott speak with an employee during a stop at Core10.
Senators Capito and Scott join Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and wrap up the Opportunity Tour with a visit to Coalfield Development Corporation’s West Edge Factory where they learned how the factory has helped expand job training programs in West Virginia.
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