Photo Courtsey: Matt Rourke, Associated Press

By: Liz McCormick | Posted: Mar. 20, 2018 | Source: WV Public Broadcasting

Federal funds have been awarded to four West Virginia organizations focused on economic development.

Those four agencies include the Region 7 Planning and Development Council, the Planning and Development Councils in both the Eastern Panhandle and the Mid-Ohio Valley, and the Marshall University Research Corporation. The groups will split an award of $310,000.

That money comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito made the announcement in a news release Tuesday.

Both senators agree the grant will help West Virginia create more jobs and invest in infrastructure that could attract new industries to the state.

The bulk of the funding will go to the Marshall University Research Corporation and will provide technical assistance and research tools to help increase long-term regional competitiveness and economic diversification.

Individual Awards Listed Below:

  • $70,000 – Region 7 Planning and Development Council, which comprises the counties of Barbour, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Randolph, Tucker, and Upshur.
  • $70,000 – Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council, which comprises the counties of Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, and nine municipalities.
  • $70,000 – Mid-Ohio valley Regional Planning and Development Council, which comprises the counties of Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Richie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, and Wood.
  • $100,000 – Marshall University Research Corporation and partners.