Community Project Funding
Current Community Project Funding Requests
Recipient: Bluefield State College
Address: 219 Rock Street, Bluefield, WV 24701
Amount of Request: $300,000
Explanation of the Request: This request is for $300,000 in a U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration Program Management grant. Bluefield State College recently acquired the Bluefield Regional Medical Center and plans to convert the former medical facility to an education facility. The money will be used to convert the second floor of the medical center to classrooms and faculty offices. The expansion will allow the college to expand course offerings and provide healthcare to the community. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it helps expand the healthcare workforce in rural West Virginia and it also helps to provide critical access to care for the surrounding community.
Recipient: City of Huntington, Huntington Police Department
Address: 800 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
Amount of Request: $280,000
Explanation of Request: This request is for a $280,000 U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services grant to establish a Nationally Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) terminal. This system helps the police better solve cases. A NIBIN terminal in Huntington is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will streamline police manpower, allowing for more cases to be entered, which leads to more cases being solved. Further, it could be used by neighboring counties helping their departments solve cases as well.
Recipient: City of Huntington, Huntington Police Department
Address: 800 5th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
Amount of Request: $2,200
Explanation of Request: This request is for a $2,200 U.S. Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services grant to purchase a Tuxedo Brand 2 Post Hydraulic Vehicle Lift. This system better helps the Huntington Police collect evidence and is a necessity for damage inspection. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance the effectiveness of the Huntington Police Department and facilitate better investigation of vehicles involved in crimes.
Recipient: City of Smithers
Address: City Hall, Gateway Center, #2 Greyhound Lane (P.O. Box 489) Smithers, WV 25186
Amount of Request: $249,875
Explanation of Request: This request is for a $249,875 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Economic Development Initiative grant. The project would fund Phase I of the Oakland Riverfront Blue Trails Trailhead Development. Phase I would provide public access to the Kanawha River. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it provides much needed outdoor recreation access for increased fitness activities for the surrounding community which has health challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, have COVID compliant activities is now more important than ever.
Recipient: DigDeep Appalachia Water Project
Address: 171 Riverside Drive, Welch, WV 24801
Amount of Request: $495,840
Explanation of Request: This request is for $495,840 in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency State and Tribal Assistance grant. The grant would provide sanitary septic and sewerage service to 35 households, totaling 80 individuals, in McDowell County, West Virginia. These septic systems would also benefit 17,000 additional residents in McDowell County as they will eliminate straight-piping raw sewage into the county’s waterways. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds as it will provide necessary septic solutions to homes and also provide for clean water in the community.
Recipient: Heritage Farm Foundation
Address: 3300 Harvey Road, Huntington, WV 25704
Amount of Request: $100,000
Explanation of Request: This request is for $100,000 in a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative grant. The grant will provide funding to expand Heritage Farm and Museum’s Wild Heritage Project, which is a wildlife center showcasing animals native to Appalachia. The funding will be used for the construction of a new animal rehabilitation facility, utility upgrades, and fencing. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it provides education for children and adults in Appalachia and brings tourism to the region.
Recipient: Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, Inc.
Address:
- Physical Address: 925 4th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5425, Huntington, WV 25703-0425
Amount of Request: $250,000
Explanation of Request: This request is for $250,000 in a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative grant. The grant will be used for structural and stage rehabilitation at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will drive economic development in the region.
Recipient: New River Gorge Development Authority
Address: 200 Main Street, Beckley, WV 25801
Amount of Request: $750,000
Explanation of Request: This request is for $750,000 in U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Initiatives grant. This grant will help support the work of the New River Gorge Development Authority, the WV Hive, and the Country Roads Angel Network. The funding will support these organizations in recruitment of new industry, technical assistance for businesses, growing the organization’s capacity, as well as research, development, and marketing. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars because it will help grow West Virginia’s economy, create new jobs, and revitalize our state’s rural areas.
Recipient: West Virginia Community and Technical College System
Address: 1018 Kanawha Blvd. East, Suite 700, Charleston, WV 25301
Amount of Request: $300,000
Explanation of Request: This request is for $300,000 in a U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Training Employment Services Account grant. This grant will help establish a training facility enabled with L3 augmented reality/virtual reality at the New River Community and Technical College. This is part of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System’s effort to develop Part 147 aerospace program at the New River Community and Technical College. This is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it helps train students for new careers and supports economic and job growth throughout the state.