WYOMING/MCDOWELL COUNTIES, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today made multiple stops in southern West Virginia to discuss economic development, mark the completion of the Elkhorn Phase II Water Project, discuss funding she secured to provide clean water service to local households, and visit a local food bank.
“Whether it’s providing safe, clean drinking water to our residents, driving economic development in this region, or ensuring our neighbors in need are taken care of, today’s stops highlighted the best of West Virginia’s future,” Senator Capito said. “The southern part of our state has so much to offer, and I’m proud of the local efforts underway to continue improving the lives of working families. I’ve worked closely with city, county, and business leaders to find ways to support critical projects like the ones we saw today, and will continue to do so as they are completed and begin to have an impact on our communities.”
First, Senator Capito met with Christy Laxton, Executive Director of the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority in Pineville, W.Va. to discuss the latest efforts to spur future investments and bring jobs to the region.
Senator Capito then spoke at an event in Northfork, W.Va. to mark the completion of the Elkhorn Phase II Water project. Finishing the project brings an end to a boil water order that has been in effect for 8-10 years on the Keystone water system, and transfers the customers of Keystone and Northfork to the Public Service District. Senator Capito presented a funding award for this project several years ago, and has continued to support the work being done to see it completed.
“Water is a very basic need that so many people take for granted,” Mavis Brewster, McDowell PSD General Manager, said. "But without reliable water and sewer services, people face serious health issues, and the economy of the area suffers. That’s why the PSD is so excited to see this project completed. The water systems that were replaced had been in operation for more than 80 years and were in a very deteriorated condition. Residents in this area experienced frequent, lengthy water outages. Thankfully with the completion of this project, the water woes have ended for over 400 residents/businesses along Route 52. Completion of this project provides residents with quality, dependable water service and provides the opportunity for businesses to develop and tourism related to the Hatfield/McCoy trail to increase.”
Senator Capito then visited Kimball, W.Va. to discuss the $495,840 she secured in direct spending to provide sanitary septic and sewerage service to 35 households, including 80 people, through the DigDeep Appalachia Water Project in McDowell County. In total, Senator Capito secured $241,135,000 in direct spending measures across West Virginia through the FY 2022 appropriations omnibus package.
Following the discussion with DigDeep, Senator Capito visited Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball, W.Va. to tour their facility and learn more about their operations and critical services the organization provides.
Photos from today’s visit included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets with Executive Director of the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority Christy Laxton and others in Pineville, W.Va. on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in a celebration of the Elkhorn Phase II Water project completion in Northfork, W.Va. on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) discusses the funding she secured for sanitary septic and sewerage service for resident in McDowell County in Kimball, W.Va. on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours Five Loaves & Two Fishes Food Bank in Kimball, W.Va. on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
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