https://wvmetronews.com/2023/05/07/dep-touts-26-million-in-funds-heading-tow...

DEP touts $26 million in funds heading toward economic development projects From an Article by Mike Nolting, WV Metro News, May 7, 2023 CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and state DEP Secretary Harold Ward have announced nearly $26 million in federal grants for six Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program projects.

DEP spokesman Terry Fletcher said the program is administered by the Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation with funds from the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.

“Great projects all over the state that are reclaiming these abandoned mine lands, putting them to use for our communities, and cleaning up the environment at the same time,” Fletcher said.

The projects announced last week for AMLER funding include just more than $3 million for the Cinderella Adventure Resort in Mingo County. The project is on 4,600 acres in the town of Cinderella, which includes 22 miles of Hatfield McCoy Trails. When fully funded, the proposed project will include Cinderella Adventure Lake, a restaurant-store-event center and entertainment venue, a conference center, 15 cabins, 20 RV sites, and a renovation of the historic Cinderella Company.

A state-of-the-art trailside campground and up to seven miles of new bike trails for the new Mountain Trail Network in Wood County will receive $2.6 million.

Tucker County has been awarded about $727,000 for the Tap Room Coworking Synergy Center and Apartments, which will provide a small business center with support services. Tucker County will also receive $12.5 million for the construction of the Davis Center Headquarters facility, which will be dedicated to mixed use for the community, according to Fletcher.

“A dormitory-style building as well as multi-family dwelling units, a STEM programing center, a canine facility, office spaces, a Community Rec Center, and wellness facilities,” Fletcher said.

McDowell County was awarded just more than $2 million for the construction of a 900-acre local law enforcement and military training center. That project includes a main operations building, a less-than-lethal training facility, shooting ranges, and a 300-acre land navigation and wilderness survival area.

Harrison County has been awarded $5 million for the I-79 Stonewood Development. The area is 393 acres of former strip-mined land on both sides of the interstate.

Harrison County Commissioner Patsy Trecost said work is almost complete for the permitting process, and then they’ll focus on developing the infrastructure for the future.

“With the permits in place, Katie bar the door,” Trecost said. “But with the property we’re talking about, it’s going to be easy to attract whatever we want to attract.”

Trecost said they would like to bring commercial and industrial partners that would bring good-paying jobs to the community, but the immediate focus is on expanding residential offerings. The growing North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) and AeroTech Business Park continue to create jobs, adding to the estimated $1 billion economic impact on the region each year.

“And more and more people are working from home, so when we say residential living, we’re not just talking about where they live; often we’re talking about where they make their living,” Trecost said.

Companies located at CKB like Aurora Flight Sciences and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have current openings for high-paying aircraft-related jobs. Training for these jobs is available on the airport grounds through the FAA-certified Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician School through Pierpont Community & Technical College and FAA-certified Part 141 Professional Flight programs through Fairmont State University.

“There is so much opportunity for you that you have a job the day you earn your certificate, and you don’t have to worry about anything and these are not minimum wage jobs; these are jobs where you can provide for your family and there is health care,” Trecost said.

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