Water Development Authority approves $715,000 grant for regional recreation center in Upshur County

News Release
January 6, 2025

Governor Jim Justice announced Monday that the West Virginia Water Development Authority (WDA) has approved $25.9 million in funding for 17 water, sewer, and economic development projects.

Of that funding, the Upshur County Commission has received $714,910 to build a regional recreational center. My Buckhannon reported in November that the $50 million John C. Allen Regional Hub — a large recreational complex the county hopes to build along Corridor H, west of Buckhannon — would include full-size athletic fields, condo-style lodging, a large turf field, several basketball courts, a walking track, a mountain bike course and much more.

Monday’s announcement was made during a check presentation to the Putnam County Development Authority, which received $5 million to build 600 new residential units. These units aim to address the state’s growing housing demand driven by economic growth.

Established in 2022, the Economic Enhancement Grant Fund (EEGF) has been successful, with the WDA approving $620 million in EEGF projects that have supported over $2.3 billion in development. These projects have impacted more than 614,000 West Virginians across the state.

“Today’s announcement is another shining example of how far West Virginia has come,” Justice said. “Through the Economic Enhancement Grant Fund, we’ve turned smart investments into over $2.3 billion worth of transformative projects across our state—improving infrastructure, supporting economic growth, and creating opportunities for our people. When I first took office, we were making cuts after cuts, and now we’re handing out checks that make a real difference. West Virginia is on the move, and we’re just getting started.”

The latest water and sewer projects approved by the Water Development Authority include:

Greater St. Albans Public Service District in Kanawha County
The Greater St. Albans Public Service District received a $3,750,000 WDA EEGF grant to provide sewer service to 300 new customers in the Tornado area. The total project cost is $15,000,000.

City of Parkersburg in Wood County
The City of Parkersburg was awarded a $2,750,000 WDA EEGF grant to expand Parkersburg Utility Board’s collection system to a new residential development. The total project cost is $5,523,000.

City of Milton in Cabell County
The City of Milton received an additional $2,000,000 for their water system upgrade project. The total project cost is $4,800,000.

Town of Cedar Grove in Kanawha County
The Town of Cedar Grove has secured $1,500,000 WDA EEGF to replace and upgrade their sewer collection system. The total project cost is $4,000,000.

Clay County Public Service District in Clay County
Clay County Public Service District was awarded a $1,500,000 WDA EEGF grant to upgrade three pump stations. The total project cost is $1,500,000.

Town of Anmoore in Harrison County
The Town of Anmoore was awarded a $1,000,000 WDA EEGF grant to replace and upgrade areas of their water system. The total project cost is $3,550,000.

Boone County Public Service District in Boone County
The Boone County Public Service District has received a $875,811 WDA EEGF grant to provide water service to a development park located on the former Hobet surface mine. The total project cost is $5,000,000.

City of Nitro in Kanawha County
The City of Nitro has received a $800,000 WDA EEGF grant to upgrade their storm sewer. The total project cost is $2,888,000.

Greenbrier Public Service District No. 1 in Greenbrier County
Greenbrier Public Service District No. 1 was awarded a $750,000 WDA EEGF grant to extend wastewater service to the area known as Meadowbrook Estates. The total project cost is $2,500,000.

Boone County Public Sewer District in Boone County
The Boone County Public Sewer District has secured a $500,000 WDA EEGF grant to repair the Danville treatment plant. The total project cost is $2,000,000.

Southern Jackson Public Service District in Jackson County
Southern Jackson Public Service District has received a $390,000 WDA EEGF grant to construct a waterline to 120 new customers. The total project cost is $390,000.

Salt Rock Public Service District in Cabell County
Salt Rock Public Service District has received a $210,000 WDA EEGF grant to rehabilitate and upgrade their pump station. The total project cost is $2,160,000.

The latest economic development projects approved by the Water Development Authority include:

Putnam County Development Authority has received $5,000,000 to develop infrastructure for future housing.
City of Wheeling has received $2,500,000 for upgrades to a multi-use development project located in the downtown Wheeling Historical District.
City of Bridgeport has received $900,000 for the Bridge Sports Complex.
Top of West Virginia CVB, Inc. (City of Weirton) has received $770,000 to upgrade the City’s Conference Center.
Upshur County Commission has received $714,910 to build a regional recreational center.

Additionally, the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council approved a grant for Marion Regional Development Corporation of $3,634,035 to be used for site preparation for the commercial development on 12 acres of land in the High Technology Park. This grant is administered by the Water Development Authority.