Cowen Public Service District

Cowen Public Service District is a local government entity serving the Cowen area of Webster County, West Virginia. Registered as a federal grant recipient since 2009, the district plays a crucial role in developing and maintaining critical infrastructure for rural communities in its service area. Cowen Public Service District primarily focuses on providing essential utility services, including water and wastewater systems, to residents and businesses in the region. Through federal grant awards, the district has been able to undertake significant infrastructure improvement projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life and promoting economic development in rural West Virginia.

The district has received substantial federal funding to support its mission, including a recent $5.5 million project grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) under the Appalachian Area Development program. This grant, spanning from 2024 to 2027, will fund comprehensive infrastructure improvements, including transportation, broadband, water systems, and wastewater systems. Previously, Cowen Public Service District was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the USDA Rural Utilities Service in 2021 through the Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities program, supporting water and waste disposal services until 2023. The district has also been a sub-recipient of several state-managed grants originating from federal agencies such as the EPA and HHS. These sub-awards, facilitated through the West Virginia Departments of Environmental Protection and Health and Human Resources, have funded specific projects like the Dennison Run & McAvoy Run Waterline Extension Project, which extended 11,480 feet of waterline to provide service to 12 rural residents. Additional sub-awards have supported various water construction projects and improvements, demonstrating Cowen Public Service District's ongoing commitment to expanding and enhancing water infrastructure in its service area.