CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Jim Justice announced over a dozen grants awarded to recipients in Northern West Virginia on Monday. These included two Abandoned Mine Land Grants, six Recycling Assistance Grants and 11 Recreational Trails Program Grants.

“These grants are essential as we continue to grow West Virginia and provide programs that help our communities and citizens,” Gov. Justice said. “The multiplier effect on our return is at least eight times and many times it is more. As we move our state forward, and we are, the impact to our economy is substantial.”

The winter storm that affected Southern West Virginia prevented the governor from attending the press conference. A representative from his office attended on his behalf.

The WVDEP’s Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP) Recycling Assistance Grants Program has its funding generated through the $1 assessment fee per ton of solid waste disposed at in-state landfills.

Six REAP Grants awarded today include:

City of Buckhannon, Upshur County – $50,000.00
To assist with the purchase of a hook-lift recycling truck for the city-wide program.

Monongalia County Habitat for Humanity – $8,676.72
To assist with a new paint recycling program including equipment, supplies, and training for the recycling operation.

PACE Enterprises of West Virginia, Monongalia County – $59,400.00
To assist with personnel, operational supplies and vehicle expenses for the recycling operation.

Ambassador Ministries, Randolph County – $52,284.00
To assist with the purchase of a walk behind stacker forklift, floor pallet jack, advertising, covered cargo trailer, personnel costs, vehicle fuel, and vehicle insurance and operational supplies for the recycling operation.

Randolph County Recycling Center – $55,100.00
To assist with fuel for vehicles, bailing wire, trailer, insurance for equipment, skid steer and attachments for the recycling operation.

The West Virginia Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program is administered by the West Virginia Department of Transportation and funded by the Federal Highway Administration. These grants help towns and cities build and improve sidewalks, lighting, and rail trails.

The projects awarded include:

• City of Buckhannon Gateway West Phase III Construction: $213,623 for the construction of a multi-use pathway from the areas just west of the City of Buckhannon to downtown.• City of Bridgeport: $120,000 for the design and construction of a trail linkage between residential areas and the recreation/sports complex of the City of Bridgeport. The total project cost is $150,000.
• City of Shinnston: $4,000 for construction of new trailhead and trail to provide access to the West Fork River located in Shinnston. The total project cost is $5,000.
• City of Fairmont: $42,267 for design and construction of school-zone safety flashers. The total project cost is $52,834.
• Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission: $120,000 for acquisition of a cross-town trail link connecting the West Fork River Trail with the McTrail and the Mon-River Trail within Marion County. The total project cost is $150,000.
• City of Westover: $240,000 for the design and construction of 1,700 linear feet of sidewalk along Dunkard Avenue from the intersection of Columbus and Dunkard Avenue to the intersection of Holland and Fairmont Road within the Town of Westover. Total project cost is $300,000.
• Monongahela River Trails Conservancy: $46,400 for design and construction to repair and upgrade the drainage infrastructure of the Caperton/Mon River Trail located within Monongalia County. Total project cost is $58,000.
• Monongahela River Trails Conservancy: $120,000 for design and construction of lighting for the half-mile Caperton/Mon River Trail section along the Morgantown Wharf District located within Monongalia County. Total project cost is $150,000.
• Town of Bruceton Mills: $120,000 for construction of replacement sidewalk with lighting along WV 73 and Union Street within downtown Bruceton Mills. Total project cost is $150,000.
• Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission: $80,000 for the design of approximately 10 linear miles of new rail trail corridor for the WV Northern Rail-Trail located within Preston County. Total project cost is $100,000.
• Glendale Park Trail and Equipment: $67,747 for the design and construction to resurface recreational trails and purchase of a tractor with attachments for maintenance of Glendale Park in Elkins, W.Va.

The Abandoned Mine Land Grants are provided by the federal government through the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) and are administered by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Abandoned Mine Lands. OSMRE must give final approval of the projects and amounts awarded.

The projects recommended for funding include:

• Preston County: $3.014 million for RE-CREATE (Reclaiming the Cheat River as an Economic Asset through Trail Enhancement) for an 8.5-mile rail trail, boat access on the Cheat River, and a community park;
• Tucker, Preston, and Grant Counties: $400,000 to Vandalia Highlands Conservation and Recreation to make public approximately 900 acres of highly popular recreational trails that have become a regional destination for mountain biking.