The land and water conservation fund (LWCF) state and local assistance program provides matching grants to develop parks owned by states and local communities

The National Park Service awarded $1,549,400 to the West Virginia Division of Economic Development under the Outdoor Recreation Acquisition, Development and Planning program (CFDA 15.916) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. Through this Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program grant, the state agency will subaward funds to the City of Ranson for development projects at Charles C. Marcus Field. The funding, derived from offshore oil and gas lease revenues rather than federal tax appropriations, will support outdoor recreation facility improvements and infrastructure enhancements at this publicly owned park.

The project advances West Virginia's outdoor recreation priorities by delivering improved recreational amenities and enhanced public access to outdoor recreation opportunities. As a public benefit project, the improvements at Charles C. Marcus Field will serve the general public and align with the state's approved Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The subaward structure allows the state agency to facilitate federal funding to local government while ensuring project implementation meets program requirements for outdoor recreation development and public accessibility.

Based on its outdoor recreation priorities, the state has selected grant projects to receive LWCF funding. LWCF grants are made pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 2003 and are funded by offshore oil and gas lease revenue, not tax dollars. In this project, the west virginia department of commerce will make a subaward to the city of ranson for developments at charles C. Marcus field. This project will benefit the general public.