The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $3.2 million in a loan and two grants to help improve the economic health in rural Southern West Virginia by assisting in the development and expansion of small businesses and local communities.
“We are pleased to be able to help rural West Virginia organizations and communities who are dedicated to helping the Mountain State remain safe, clean, and economically prosperous,” said Kris Warner, West Virginia State Director, USDA Rural Development. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has continued to work untiringly as a strong partner to local businesses and communities because we know that when rural West Virginia thrives, all of America thrives.”
Projects receiving a Rural Development investment include:
- New River Gorge Regional Development Authority – Awarded a $50,000 Rural Business Development Grant to provide technical assistance to start-up businesses in Braxton, Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming counties.
- City of Welch – Awarded a $25,000 Rural Business Development Grant to create a comprehensive business inventory that will catalogue existing businesses, available store fronts for business expansion, and public recreational and tourist attraction amenities. This USDA investment will help save nine jobs.
- Ashland Scenic Campground – Awarded a $3.2 million Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan to construct a new campground registration welcome center with retail facility, eight new lodges, all-terrain vehicle wash station, playground and entertainment facility. This USDA investment will help create 5 jobs.
These projects are part of 14 statewide Rural Business Development Grants with a combined total of $627,000 and eight statewide Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans with a combined total of more than $29 million.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
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