6/30/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced the approval of Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 Grants, a Community Development Block Program Grant, and Appalachian Regional Commission Program (ARC) Grants.
"Each of these grant programs help improve the lives of West Virginians," Gov. Tomblin said. "Whether extending water service to more households, or providing preventative dental care to our children, or consulting with small and medium-sized businesses to increase their competitiveness, the projects funded by these various grant programs continue to assist with economic and community development in our great state."
Gov. Tomblin handed out the following Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3 Grants:
The Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority $3,000,000
The Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority will use these funds at the Littlepage Terrace housing complex. These funds will provide affordable housing to an additional 30 families and further enhance the positive impact to the appearance and property values in this area of Charleston.
The City of Mount Hope $1,500,000
The City of Mount Hope will use these funds to remove dilapidated and dangerous residential structures within its boundary. The removal of these structures will help stabilize the community, create a positive impact on the appearance of this designated "Gateway Community" to the Boy Scout Reserve, help stabilize property values, and provid needed home sites for the community.
Gov. Tomblin handed out the following Community Development Block Grant-Recovery (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009):
Boone County Commission $450,000
In 2009, The Boone County Commission was awarded $1.1 million from this grant program to extend water service in the Route 5/Prenter Road areas. The original scope of work has been completed. The Boone County Commission will use these funds to complete an additional extension that will serve 10 new households of which 8 are low-to-moderate-income households.
Gov. Tomblin has recommended the following projects to receive Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants. These grants must now be approved by ARC before issuance:
Center for Rural Health Development $150,000
Rural Health Infrastructure Loan Fund
Multi-County
The goal of the project is to support the delivery of technical assistance to health care providers to develop and complete capital improvement projects. These services will increase the accessibility of health care for underserved areas in the state's ARC-designated distressed, at-risk, and transitional counties.
Mercer County Commission/Oakvale Road PSD $1,388,000
Southeastern Mercer Water Phase IV A
Mercer County
The project will extend public water service to residents and businesses in the Town of Oakvale and the surrounding area in southeastern Mercer County. Currently, residents in the project area rely upon sources of drinking water that are poor or inadequate in quality and quantity. Project will serve 298 new residential and commercial customers, including the Oakvale Elementary School.
Marshall University Research Corporation $150,000
School-Community Partnerships for Children's Oral Health
Multi-County
The purpose of the project is to increase access to preventive dental services for children through school-community partnerships. School-based clinics will be organized in underserved areas of the state to provide dental screenings for children, including referral for follow-up care. The project will serve an estimated 3,000 students and increase health and well-being in our most vulnerable populations in the state's ARC-designated distressed, at-risk, and transitional counties.
West Virginia Development Office $50,000
Enhanced At-Risk/Transitional Counties Program
Multi-County
Responding to the demand for capacity-building initiatives in ARC-designated non-distressed counties, the West Virginia Development Office entered into a unique partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to increase funding for the program and expand eligibility to include non-distressed counties. These funds will match Benedum Foundation assistance and local funds for capacity-building projects in non-distressed counties, resulting in increased community leadership and organization that is critical in leveraging local assets for community improvements and economic growth.
Town of Delbarton $1,500,000
Wastewater Treatment & Collection System Upgrade
Mingo County
Distressed Counties
The project will extend public wastewater service to residents in the Town of Delbarton and surrounding area, and provide upgrades to the Town of Delbarton's wastewater treatment plant. Currently, residents in the project area rely upon failing septic systems or directly discharge into nearby streams, and the existing collection system suffers from excessive inflow and infiltration that result in severe compliance issues. The project will benefit 76 new customers and 373 existing customers.
West Virginia Development Office $150,000
Enhanced Distressed Counties Program
Multi-County
Distressed Counties
The West Virginia Development Office and the Appalachian Regional Commission, in partnership with the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, have operated a mini-grant program that focuses on capacity-building projects in ARC-designated distressed counties. These projects focus on developing local community leaders, engaging citizens in local initiatives, and strategically planning for the future. Through this funding, an estimated 3,000 local citizens, public officials, and non-profit staff and volunteers will receive training in leadership or become involved in a local community project. The funds will be used to continue this valuable community development tool.
West Virginia Development Office $350,000
Consolidated Technical Assistance
Statewide
The West Virginia Development Office, with ARC funding assistance, will continue the Consolidated Technical Assistance program. The grant allows the West Virginia Development Office to employ staff for the purpose of providing technical assistance to ARC applicants and grantees, monitoring and administering ongoing projects, updating the West Virginia Development Plan, and maintaining a project information system.
West Virginia Development Office $225,000
Competitive Improvement Program
Statewide
The project will provide training and consultation services to small and medium-sized firms in West Virginia to increase their competitiveness. The project will address a unique need for which no other funding sources are available. The results of these services will be a greater number of companies that are increasing the range of their market and market share, and a commensurate increase in the number of jobs retained or created.
About the Grant Programs:
Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3: Administered by the West Virginia Development Office, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program supports community development and improvement projects that provide a suitable living environment and further expand economic opportunities.
Community Development Block Grant Program: Administered by the West Virginia Development Office, the Community Development Block Grant supports community development and improvement projects that provide a suitable living environment and further expand economic opportunities.
Appalachian Regional Commission Program: The West Virginia Development Office administers the state's ARC program, which is a partnership of federal, state, and local participants providing financial and technical assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor
304-558-2000