CHARLESTON, W.Va. (October 25, 2016) – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced 11 state recommendations for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Investment Program grants, totaling more than $5.1 million in grant funding.
“In my time as Governor, I have seen how beneficial these grants are across West Virginia,” Gov. Tomblin said. “They help lift up communities, providing education opportunities, helping us advance our workforce, and addressing critical community needs ranging from infrastructure to public health. The ARC continues to be a strong partner in our local communities, and I am grateful for that partnership – which is helping move our state forward.”
The West Virginia Development Office administers the state’s ARC program, a partnership of federal, state and local participants providing financial and technical assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects.
Projects recommended for ARC funding are:
MULTI-COUNTY
Jobs for West Virginia Graduates, Inc.
$130,000
The project will provide at-risk high-school students with specialized instruction and guidance, including tutoring and mentoring services, career development training and leadership development. The result will strengthen graduation rates and employability for at-risk students. The project will serve an estimated 120 students.
West Virginia Development Office, West Virginia Flex-E-Grant Program
$125,000
The West Virginia Development Office and the Appalachian Regional Commission, in partnership with the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, have operated a mini-grant program that focuses on community capacity-building. These projects focus on developing local community leaders, engaging citizens in local initiatives and strategically planning for the future. Through this funding, an estimated 250 local citizens, public officials, and non-profit staff and volunteers will receive training in leadership or become involved in a local community project.
Region 1 Planning and Development Council, Sewer Infrastructure Mapping Project
$250,000
The project will provide high-accuracy mapping of sewer system infrastructure across an 11 county area of southern West Virginia, accurately mapping the location of collection lines, manholes and other system features. The project will benefit sewer systems by reducing the cost of system repairs, facilitating future expansions of sewer systems and improving the management of sewer systems.
Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, Pathways to Self-Sufficiency
$76,845
The project will provide adult literacy, financial education, basic employability soft skills training, industrial certification training, and job placement through Goodwill’s Career Center and outreach trainings and services. Through this project, at least 115 individuals in Lincoln and Mingo Counties will receive services.
BRAXTON COUNTY
Flatwoods-Canoe Run PSD, Exchange Road Water Extension
Phase 1
$1,853,500
The project will extend public water service to an unserved area west of I-79 at Exit 67 in the Flatwoods area of Braxton County. Current customers rely upon private wells that are that are unreliable in quantity and poor in quality. The project will also provide water and fire protection service to 254 developable acres of land, increasing future economic development in the Flatwoods area. Project will serve 60 new customers, including 59 residential customers and one commercial customer and facilitate future economic development.
CABELL COUNTY
Cabell-Huntington Health Department, Harm Reduction Program Expansion
$150,000
The project will expand harm reduction services, including prevention education, counseling and referral services, community-based naloxone education and training, and community outreach to those suffering from drug abuse addiction. The project will expand harm reduction program sites in Cabell County and promote healthy lifestyles and counseling for program clients.
MCDOWELL COUNTY
Town of Bradshaw, Comprehensive Sewer Upgrade Plan
$132,000
The project will conduct an evaluation of the Town of Bradshaw’s wastewater system to assess the extent and location of sources of significant leakage and disrepair. The assessment will include a capital improvement plan for upgrading and improving the city’s wastewater system in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. The project will benefit the town’s 120 existing customers and provide planning needed for future upgrades to improve quality of life and community development.
ROANE COUNTY
Town of Reedy, Wastewater System Improvement
$430,000
The project will provide upgrades to the Town of Reedy sewage collection system and wastewater treatment plant to correct inflow and infiltration problems in the system. The project will serve 88 existing residential and commercial customers in an ARC-designated distressed county and provide much needed infrastructure improvements for the town.
MCDOWELL COUNTY
City of Welch, McDowell Street and Riverside Drive Water Line
$1,500,000
The project will replace water lines in the McDowell Street and Riverside Drive areas in the City of Welch. Currently, the water lines experience water loss and outages due to landslips and outdated lines. The project will increase public safety, reduce landslips, and provide better water quality and service to homes and businesses, including the local hospital. The project will serve 190 existing customers, including 62 commercial customers and 128 residential customers.
STATEWIDE
West Virginia Development Office, Consolidated Technical Assistance
$350,000
The West Virginia Development Office, with ARC funding assistance, will continue the Consolidated Technical Assistance program. The grant allows the West Virginia Development Office to employ staff for the purpose of providing technical assistance to ARC applicants and grantees, monitoring and administering ongoing projects, updating the West Virginia Development Plan and maintaining a project information system.
West Virginia Development Office, Competitive Improvement Program
$125,000
The project will provide training and consultation services to small and medium-sized firms in West Virginia to increase their competitiveness. The project will address a unique need for which no other funding sources are available. The results of these services will be a greater number of companies that are increasing the range of their market and market share and a commensurate increase in the number of jobs retained or created.
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