CHARLESTON, WV – Today, Gov. Jim Justice and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) Sec. Austin Caperton held a virtual ceremony to announce the recommendation of 12 projects that will utilize $27,196,483 in federal grant funding for economic development of abandoned mine land sites across the state.
“This is a lot of money and it could really and truly go a long way,” Gov. Justice said. “Hopefully it’ll do a lot of great things in the areas where the work will be happening – we have a lot of great things happening in West Virginia.”
The grants, provided through the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are administered by the WVDEP’s Office of Abandoned Mine Lands. The recipients applied for the grant funding earlier this year and were each considered by a committee of representatives from the WVDEP, West Virginia Department of Commerce, West Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Governor’s Office.
The economic development projects must be located on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) on August 3, 1977.
OSMRE must give final approval of the projects and amounts awarded.
“These kinds of economic development projects are right in Governor Justice’s wheelhouse and he’s absolutely been a superstar to the entire state for helping us make these valuable projects a reality in West Virginia,” Sec. Caperton said. “We’ve received $105 million over the past four years, all going into economic development activities, and we’ve already received notice that we’re going to get another $25 million in funding for the next year.”
“I want to thank all those involved in making these projects a reality, the project leaders, our county commissioners, mayors, members of the West Virginia Legislature and our West Virginia DEP,” Gov. Justice added. “Without the commitment from each and every one of these dedicated West Virginians, none of this would be possible.”
The projects recommended today include are as follows:
BOONE COUNTY
Indian Creek ATV Resort Project
$3,378,000
Building the Indian Creek ATV Resort to serve as an anchor development for the newest Hatfield-McCoy Trail system in Boone County. Project includes construction of 20 cabins, 15 RV Sites, and will be the location of the new Coal River Trail System.
FAYETTE COUNTY
Oak Hill Sanitary Board – Minden Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation
$1,500,000
Upgrading existing sewer lines, pumping stations, and sanitary collection system.
KANAWHA COUNTY
Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center
$959,613
Building an educational and wildlife viewing center within the Forks of Coal State Natural Area, located on Corridor G, just south of Charleston.
MCDOWELL COUNTY
Renaissance Village in McDowell County
$1,000,000
Aiding in the construction of a housing facility for teachers. The proposed facility will also have space available for commercial use.
MINGO COUNTY
Twin Hollow Campgrounds and Cabins Expansion Project
$2,699,422
Expanding the Twin Hollow Campgrounds and Cabins Resort in Mingo County to an even larger, more prominent destination that will bring in thousands of Hatfield-McCoy Trail Riders annually and facilitate a private sector investment of $3,970,230 over the next five years.
PRESTON COUNTY
Reclaiming the Cheat River as an Economic Asset through Trail Investment and Nurturing Greenspace (RECREATING)
$1,000,000
Improving trail and river access by building a destination trailhead at the Preston site.
RALEIGH COUNTY
Harper Eccles Sewer Extension Project
$7,647,398
Providing approximately three miles of public sewer to residents along Route 3 in Raleigh County.
RALEIGH COUNTY
Rhodell Water Service Upgrade Project
$2,125,000
Constructing approximately three miles of public water service to residents along Route 33 in Raleigh County.
RALEIGH COUNTY
White Oak Waterline Extension Project
$1,319,050
Providing approximately 19,750 linear feet of public water service to residents along the border of Raleigh and Summers counties.
TUCKER COUNTY
The Blackwater River Loop Project: Hiking, Biking and Heritage Tourism
$818,000
Constructing a water treatment system to improve water quality of the north fork of the Blackwater River and make the site a visitor-friendly education project. This project will also create a scenic trail between the towns of Thomas and Davis and restore the Davis Coal and Coke Company engineering building for use.
WAYNE COUNTY
Fleming – An Old Mining Town Transformation to Rustic Ravines
$250,000
Building a lodge and wedding/conference venue, cabins, cottages, pods, RV and ATV parks, tennis amenities, basketball amenities, walking/hiking trails, ATV trails, an Alpine Coaster, a disc golf course, a miniature golf course, and an indoor driving range to increase tourism.
WYOMING COUNTY
Brenton and Baileysville Waterline Extension Project
$4,500,000
Providing water service to 254 customers, Baileysville Elementary and Middle School, along with a potential expansion of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail.
