Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today joined representatives of the Appalachian Regional Commission and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to announce the first round of federal POWER grants, which total nearly $10 million for West Virginia and will support nine economic development projects across the state.
Among these projects is Gov. Tomblin’s plan for the former Hobet surface mine in Boone and Lincoln counties, which is set to receive a $200,000 boost in POWER funding. This grant will be used for strategic planning around developing the site’s approximately 12,000 acres for business investments and job creation.
“With the downturn in the coal industry, we in the state and federal governments owe it to those who have lost jobs through no fault of their own to do everything possible to create new economic growth,” Gov. Tomblin said. “These POWER grants represent a positive step toward that goal. The projects being funded envision a West Virginia where promising new job opportunities are a reality. I am especially proud that the Hobet project is being supported as we continue planning for the best ways turn that site into an economic engine for Southern West Virginia.”
Of the $38.8 million in POWER funding announced today, the following projects in West Virginia are slated to receive a total of $9,988,725:
- $200,000 for development of a strategic plan for the Hobet surface mine site in Boone and Lincoln counties.
- $1,870,000 to the Coalfield Development Corporation in Wayne for the Appalachian Social Entrepreneurship Investment Strategy.
- $1,250,000 to the Natural Capital Investment Fund, Inc. in Shepherdstown for the Growing Triple Bottom Line Small Businesses in Coal Impacted Communities in Central Appalachia project.
- $967,500 to the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority in Beckley for the New River Gorge Region – Developing an Entrepreneurial Economy project.
- $1,500,000 to the Bluewell Public Service District in Bluefield for the Mercer County Regional Airport Development and Diversification Initiative.
- $1,372,275 to the Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority in Man for the Southern Coalfields Sustainable Tourism & Entrepreneurship Program.
- $2,196,450 to the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education in Charleston for the EntreEd K-14: Every Student, Every Year project.
- $622,500 to the Randolph County Development Authority in Elkins for the Hardwood Cluster Manufacturing Expansion Project.
- $10,000 to the EdVenture Group to provide grant-writing assistance to apply for a POWER Implementation grant to train displaced workers in computer coding and other IT skills.
