Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.6 million grant to the Harrison County Commission in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Specifically, the grant will be used to help build and establish a clean energy products manufacturing facility, creating jobs, while also spurring private investment in the community. The grant, which will be matched with $1.3 million in local funds, is expected to help create 200 jobs and generate $4 million in private investment.
“Every West Virginian continues to be impacted by the changing energy sector, especially our coal communities. EDA is investing $2.6 million to create an advanced energy products manufacturing facility in Clarksburg, which will create at least 200 good-paying jobs for West Virginians, generate additional private investment and boost economic growth in hard-hit communities. I successfully fought to include a $300 million set aside in the American Rescue Plan as part of the Coal Communities Commitment for these types of products, and I am pleased EDA is following through on their commitment to support and invest in coal communities,” Senator Manchin said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding for Harrison County, and I will continue to work with EDA to spur economic development, create good-paying jobs and leverage opportunities to utilize the Mountain State’s abundant coal resources in the development of innovative and high demand products.”
“This announcement is exciting news for Clarksburg and demonstrates the strength of our state’s manufacturing base,” Senator Capito said. “This investment is expected to help create 200 jobs and expand new markets for coal. The EDA’s involvement in West Virginia has increased exponentially since I came to the Senate, and I appreciate their continued support.”
This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. ACC projects support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.