This EDA investment funds the phase III elkhorn water project, to provide quality/dependable potable water and fire protection service to customers with approximately 50 businesses including bed and…

The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded an $8.1 million Project Grant to the McDowell County Public Service District (PSD) under the Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program (CFDA 11.307). The funding will support Phase III of the Elkhorn Water Project, which will provide reliable potable water and fire protection services to approximately 50 businesses in Welch, West Virginia on April 28, 2022. The businesses currently lack public sewage infrastructure and rely on highly contaminated on-site sewage disposal systems, posing health and safety risks. Completion of this project will help address job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic and decline in the coal industry by enhancing business operations and economic resiliency in the region.

This EDA investment funds the phase III elkhorn water project, to provide quality/dependable potable water and fire protection service to customers with approximately 50 businesses including bed and breakfasts and private campgrounds in welch, west virginia. These customers currently have no public sewage system, and the use of an on-site sewage disposal system is highly contaminated, which is unsafe for these local businesses. Once completed, the project will help the region address the significant and sudden loss of jobs caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the decline in the coal industry by enhancing job creation and retention in an area, which will advance economic resiliency throughout the region.