Congresswoman Miller Announces Funding to Rebuild Southern West Virginia Infrastructure and Spur Economic Growth

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) announced two grants from the Economic Development Administration, totaling $6,911,840, to rebuild Southern West Virginia's infrastructure and generate new opportunities for economic growth, development, and diversification.

The first grant, worth $5,164,200, is awarded to the Huntington Stormwater Utility for the Huntington Floodwall Stabilization Project. The investment will be used to stabilize the Ohio River floodwall, repair structural damage suffered during flooding in February of 2018, and fund a feasibility and design study for further stabilization of sewer and storm drain rerouting in the area.

"It is absolutely essential that we continue to reinvest in Southern West Virginia in order to rebuild and renew our communities," said Congresswoman Miller. "This funding from the Economic Development Administration will allow us to make much-needed repairs to the floodwall that protects the city of Huntington and provides reassurance, safety, and security to thousands of families in the area. By strengthening critical infrastructure, we are creating a foundation of resilience upon which we can attract new opportunity and job creation to our region."

The second grant, worth $2,184,600, will support the Coalfield Development Cooperation's rehabilitation of the Nenni building in Wayne County, W.V. in order to fill the need for expanded workforce development in the community. The project will stabilize and build-out the historic building to create a business and development center to provide re-training and education to underemployed and unemployed people, and to lead job placement efforts.

"Diversifying our economy and providing West Virginians with the skills and training to have new opportunities for success is key in our modern economy, " said Congresswoman Miller. "I am working to help connect job seekers with job creators to spur workforce development, and this investment by the EDA will compliment and further advance efforts already underway by organizations like the Coalfield Development Cooperation. Successful public-private partnerships are the cornerstone of our goal of revitalizing Southern West Virginia and making it an even greater place to live, work, and raise a family."

This investment is projected to create 110 new jobs, save 90 existing jobs, and leverage over $6 million in private investment to advance economic growth in the community.