Monongalia County Commission approves new round of coronavirus funding

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Monongalia County Commission recently approved how to spend more than $5 million in coronavirus relief funds, with a majority of the recent allocation going toward electrical upgrades to the Morgantown Industrial Park.

Commissioners agreed to dedicate around $3.1 million toward improvements to secure a deal involving a business possibly utilizing the site.

“That project is in conjunction with the company that can’t be named,” Commissioner Sean Sikora told MetroNews affiliate WAJR-AM. “These are improvements that are needed to make that project a reality.”

The county will receive more than $20 million from the federal government related to the American Rescue Plan, which lawmakers approved in March 2021. Commissioners have already dedicated $10 million for broadband expansion.

Commissioners also approved $400,000 for improvements to the Little Creek Public Service District; half of the Marion County operation’s customer base lives in Monongalia County.

The commission also approved $436,000 for six projects at the Clay-Battelle Public Service District. Officials note the major project is the replacement of a supply line.

“Seven hundred feet of 6-inch HDP line replacement on Days Run,” Sikora said. “It’s a problem section area that is part of the main supply line that transports water to Daybrook, Wadestown and Wana customers.”

Other efforts in the public service district involve pipe repair on an exposed line in the Jake’s Run area, replacing a Belcher Road pump station, extending a section on Range Road, and replacing a line under Dunkard Creek.

Monongalia County Commission President Tom Bloom noted the projects are essential for future economic growth.

“I think you see the majority is water, sewage and broadband, and that is economic development for the future,” he said. “What we’re doing now is setting the tone for the next 10 to 20 years.”





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