WYOMING COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Thursday that funding packages have been completed for more than $58 million in water and wastewater infrastructure projects across West Virginia, including a nearly $9 million project benefiting residents in Mingo and Wyoming counties.
The announcement includes an $800,000 Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council (IJDC) grant recommendation to complete funding for an $8.74 million public water extension project serving the communities of Justice and Hanover.
The project will improve water service for 236 existing customers in Justice and extend public water access to approximately 215 potential customers in Hanover, where homes and businesses currently rely on private wells.
The extension will also allow Huff Consolidated School and the R.D. Bailey Lake facility to connect to public water service.
Funding for the project includes $7.45 million in federal grants, along with additional state and local contributions.
State Senator Rollan Roberts welcomed the announcement.
“I’m very grateful for everyone involved in this significant development in funding more clean water for Wyoming County and Mingo County residents. The ongoing progress in securing funding for these types of projects is absolutely remarkable.”
Morrisey said the investments are intended to improve water reliability and support future development throughout the state.
“Every West Virginia family deserves clean, reliable water and infrastructure they can depend on,” said Governor Morrisey. “We’re bringing public water to families who have relied on private wells, improving systems that serve thousands of residents, and helping communities prepare for new homes and businesses. And in Fort Gay, we made a promise to help finish the job, and we’re delivering on that promise.”
Additional funding announced Friday includes a $95,000 IJDC grant recommendation for a $2.525 million wastewater treatment plant improvement project in Salt Rock, Cabell County.
The project will upgrade a wastewater system serving approximately 4,855 customers in Ona, Milton and Culloden.
In Wayne County, the state is providing $185,000 to complete a water main extension in Fort Gay. The funding fulfills a commitment Morrisey made during an August visit and includes an additional $35,000 following an engineering adjustment.
The largest project announced is a $47.31 million water treatment plant and raw water intake project in Buckhannon, Upshur County. The project includes $4 million in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization funding.
The state is also recommending $3 million in additional loans and principal forgiveness for the Buckhannon project, with the remaining $40.31 million coming from federal loans and grants.
The IJDC grant recommendations and proposed financing are scheduled for council consideration on November 4.
Morrisey said the combination of state, federal and local funding will help communities move forward with infrastructure projects that would otherwise be difficult to finance.
“These projects will make a real difference for West Virginia families and businesses,” said Governor Morrisey. “We’re working with our state, federal and local partners to deliver the infrastructure our communities need to grow and prosper.”
