September 26, 2011

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Nearly $5 Million for Housing Projects Across West Virginia

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced that five projects across West Virginia will receive nearly $5 million to help low-income families find good-paying jobs, as well as to redevelop part of downtown Ranson to create 150 jobs and improve infrastructure. These funds are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Creating jobs and getting Americans back to work are key to rebuilding America and boosting our crumbling economy,” Senator Manchin said. “These projects, from redeveloping a neighborhood in Ranson to helping low-income families get back on their feet and back to work, are essential in fighting through these challenging times and helping us come together to find solutions that will help us rebuild America.”

“These awards provide critical help to get families back on their feet, assist them in finding jobs, and restore neighborhoods,” said Rockefeller.  “Too many families are still struggling financially, but working together, we can change this course for many of them while also boosting West Virginia’s and the country’s economies.”

The city of Ranson will receive a Brownfield Economic Development Initiative grant for $1.5 million and a loan for $3 million to redevelop a 6-acre section of downtown. Dilapidated buildings will be demolished and an environmentally contaminated area will be repaired so that the former Kiddie Fire Fighting Foundry can be revitalized. The funds, which are provided through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, will also be used to build an anchor building for Powhatan Place Town Center. When the project is complete, it is estimated that 150 jobs will be created in the downtown area of Ranson. 

The Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority and the Huntington West Virginia Housing Authority will receive $204,000 and $164,384, respectively, to hire staff for the ROSS Service Coordinators Program. Coordinators will strategize with local support services to help families increase earned income, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance and achieve economic independence and housing self-sufficiency. 

The Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority and the Benwood Housing Authority will receive $46,183 and $18,104, respectively, for the ROSS Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The program will hire a coordinator to link families that participate in Public Housing Authority programs with training opportunities, job placement organizations and local employers. 

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