Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.75 million grant to Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beaver, West Virginia, to provide critical infrastructure needed to expand the Raleigh County Business Park. This EDA grant, to be matched with $4.85 million in state and local funds, is expected to create 624 jobs and generate $48 million in private investment.
“This EDA project will develop 105 additional acres in the Raleigh County Business Park, allowing for at least 16 new seven-acre sites,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “At least four of these sites will have direct access to Raleigh County Memorial Airport’s runways, a key component in attracting new, innovative businesses, especially in the aerospace industry.”
“This project means so much to the people of southern West Virginia and I could never thank the EDA enough for their contribution to this effort,” said Governor Jim Justice. “We have so many exciting economic development projects going on right now in our state, it’s unbelievable. But when you’re talking about a project that’s going to bring hundreds of jobs and millions upon millions of dollars of economic impact to a part of the state that needs it, the ripple effects are going to bring all kinds of goodness and truly change lives.”
“Today’s announcement is wonderful news for Southern West Virginia and economic development in the region,” said Senator Joe Manchin. “After nearly two years of advocating for funding (PDF) to help complete the Raleigh County Memorial Airport Industrial Park project, I am pleased the EDA is investing $1.75 million to create 105 acres primed for development. This project will give Southern West Virginia the opportunity to diversify our economy and workforce which will attract new businesses and create new good-paying jobs for our fellow West Virginians and I look forward to the growth it will bring to our state.”
“The Raleigh County Memorial Airport provides such an important access point to the Beckley area and southern West Virginia,” said Senator Shelley Moore Capito. “This investment is well deserved, and will bring crucial improvements that will help expand airport operations and capabilities. I have been a long-time advocate for this project, which is why I am very pleased that ARC and EDA have recognized how increased investments in infrastructure can bring great benefits to West Virginia. We would not be here today without the help of local leaders in Raleigh County and the local economic councils. I look forward to seeing the improvements this investment will bring to this region of our state.”
This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) program, through which EDA awards 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.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.