Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the town of White Sulphur Springs to upgrade and improve water infrastructure.
According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 82 jobs, retain 20 jobs and spur $35.1 million in private investment.
“The Trump Administration is revitalizing American manufacturing and is bringing Made in America back,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Following visits by both myself and President Donald J. Trump to White Sulphur Springs, these grants will help build the manufacturing industry and create new jobs.”
“This grant goes to help a project that does so much more than create jobs,” said Senator Capito. “This grant helps provide a brighter future for Greenbrier County. The EDA couldn’t have picked a more worthy recipient. I can’t wait to see the lives changed through this huge project – to rebuild White Sulphur Springs and provide economic stability for years to come.”
“This investment marks an important milestone in our recovery from the flooding that ravaged our beautiful state and shows yet again that West Virginians are resilient,” said U.S. Senator Joe Manchin. “Investing in water infrastructure projects that are outdated not only improves the quality of life for our local residents, but preserves good-paying jobs, boosts economic development and improves the prosperity of our families, businesses and communities. The West Virginia Great Barrel Company is a great example of what can be accomplished when a group of individuals that are passionate about their community and state come together with a vision of providing opportunity for their neighbors.”
Congresswoman Carol Miller said, “Economic development is so important in southern West Virginia,” said Miller. “I’ve made it a major priority to diversify our economy and create new jobs throughout our district and redevelop and strengthen our infrastructure, and I am grateful for the Town of While Sulphur Springs to get this well-deserved award.” Miller continued “West Virginians have fought hard to grow this part of our state and we know that this award is key to the future. Today that key is unlocking exciting opportunities. This will add more than $1.5 million into our local community, save existing jobs, create new jobs, and attract new investments into the community for years to come.”
This investment will help construct a water line to assist with the development of two facilities; a barrel manufacturing plant and a related lumber mill. In addition, the project will support the local tourism industry by providing the Greenbrier State Forest with a potable water source. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Region IV Economic Development District. EDA funds Region IV Economic Development District to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
The project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) program, through which EDA will award funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal through activities and programs that support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.