Capito Announces New Economic Development Investments in West Virginia

EDA to expand presence in West Virginia and invest in additional projects aimed at revitalizing communities, increasing economic opportunity

RANDOLPH COUNTY, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today joined Economic Development Administration (EDA) Acting Head Dennis Alvord, as well as local business and development leaders, to make several major economic development announcements.

Senator Capito first announced a $2.5 million grant from EDA that will support the expansion of Armstrong Flooring, a manufacturing facility located in Beverly, West Virginia. As Randolph County’s largest manufacturing employer, this investment is expected to create 50 new jobs, retain 60 existing jobs, and generate approximately $16.2 million in private investment.

The Armstrong visit was followed by a trip to the Wood Technology Center in Elkins, West Virginia, where Senator Capito joined EDA officials, local leaders and grant awardees to announce an additional $8.235 million in funding from EDA. These grant awards will support state-wide projects furthering manufacturing, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and planning.

“Improving our economy starts by revitalizing our communities and creating job opportunities for West Virginians. That’s because economic growth starts at the local level. For several years, I have urged EDA to renew its focus and invest in West Virginia,” said Senator Capito. “Whether its manufacturing, entrepreneurship or tourism, vibrant local communities are vital to the strength of our state’s economy. These public-private partnerships will fuel growth, and make West Virginia the best place to live and work.”

Since 2015, Senator Capito has worked with EDA to educate the agency about West Virginia news and encourage more investment in the state. As a result of these efforts, EDA has since hired a state representative for West Virginia to help structure projects. From 2015 to 2017, EDA has invested more than $21 million in West Virginia. These investments are expected to create 1,429 jobs and retain 1,147 jobs, impacting nearly every county in the state.

In an op-ed for The Inter-Mountain released today, Senator Capito discusses the value of this partnership with EDA, specifically citing the Armstrong Flooring investment. Read the op-ed here.

Individual awards are listed below:

• $2,500,000 – Armstrong Flooring (Randolph County)
• $1,478,100 – Flatwoods Canoe Run Public Service District (Braxton County)
• $1,392,480 – Mingo County Redevelopment Authority (Mingo County)
• $767,422 – Pierpont Community and Technical College (Marion County)
• $750,000 – Center for Applied Research and Technology (Mercer County)
• $747,123 – West Virginia University (Monongalia & Raleigh Counties)
• $400,000 – West Virginia Coalition for Technology Based Economic Development (Kanawha County)
• $300,000 – Business Development Corporation of the Northern Panhandle (Brooke & Hancock Counties)