Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $1.5 million in grants for water and sewer projects around the state, including in Bradshaw in McDowell County.
“Today, we are making an investment in West Virginia’s future,” Morrisey said. “Infrastructure projects like these are critical for the daily lives of our residents, and will help attract new residents, businesses, and jobs to the Mountain State.”
The governor, speaking in Welch while surrounded with area officials, also highlighted ongoing efforts to bring flood relief up to this point.
Flooding and widespread power outages affected thousands of state residents after pouring rain hit the state over several days in February.
“Our administration tried to help out as much as possible,” said Morrisey, a Republican.
McDowell County Commissioner Michael Brooks described being in constant contact with the governor’s office.
“I feel like that this county has the ear of our governor, and I know for a fact that they have gone above and beyond to address multiple needs, and I think that it’s going to continue,” Brooks said.
Morrisey highlighted the efforts of first responders, volunteers and state officials in providing relief, including 1,400 cleaning buckets, water, medical supplies and debris removal.
The governor said the National Guard cleared more than 17,000 tons of debris while the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $29.7 million in aid, with $12.8 million for McDowell County.
“And I’m going to keep pushing. I want to be very supportive to make sure that we’re doing the resilience that we need to help address potential flooding that may occur in the future. Recovery efforts continue, and they’re going to continue until the job is done,” Morrisey said.
“We’re never going to forget southern West Virginia and McDowell County.”
Morrisey said West Virginia will receive and review applications for additional water and sewer project funding opportunities.
The three grants approved by the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council include:
Town of Bradshaw, McDowell County, which received a $1,000,000 grant to address longstanding deficiencies in the sewer collection and treatment systems affecting 106 customers. These funds, along with $2,000,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and other funding programs, provide the $8,589,001 for this project.
Pleasant Hill Public Service District, Calhoun County, which received a grant of $500,000 to extend public water service to 62 new customers in Calhoun County in the areas of Cain, Big Root, and Bull River Run. These funds, along with other funding programs, provide a total of $4,440,000 for this project.
Town of Junior, Barbour County, which received a $1,000,000 IJDC grant to replace existing water lines, valves, water meters, and fire hydrants throughout the Town’s distribution system, which affects 396 customers. These funds, along with other funding programs, provide the $2,870,000 for this project.
“We want to be as helpful as we can with the limited dollars that are available. But we do know that today is an important first step to make sure that McDowell County and folks around the state are better equipped to meet the needs that they have,” Morrisey said.