REP. JENKINS ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR COALFIELD DEVELOPMENT CORP., HOBET SITE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) announced today two major federal grants for the Coalfield Development Corporation in Wayne and the Hobet mining site in Boone and Lincoln counties.

The Coalfield Development Corporation will receive $1,870,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission for its Appalachian Social Entrepreneurship Investment Strategy. The West Virginia Development Office will receive $200,000 from the ARC for the Hobet strategic plan.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Jenkins helped secure $50 million for the ARC to invest in Appalachia, as well as $15 million for the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help coal communities hurt by the downturn in coal.

“These grants are critical to helping revitalize communities hurt by the downturn in coal. The Coalfield Development Corporation has developed innovative programs to help workers learn new skills and start their own small businesses, and I know this grant will help them offer their important services to even more entrepreneurs and communities. The Hobet mine site has unlimited potential for economic growth, and this grant will allow the state to develop a strategic plan to make this potential a reality,” Rep. Jenkins said.

Coalfield Development Corporation project

The Coalfield Development Corporation will use its grant to help incubate start-up small businesses and expand its 33-6-3 on-the-job training/education/life skills workforce development program. It also plans to expand its service area to more coal-affected communities in West Virginia. This grant is expected to create 85 new jobs and train 60 people in new careers.

Hobet Strategic Plan project

The West Virginia Development Office will use this grant to develop a strategic plan and economic assessment for the Hobet mine site in Boone and Lincoln counties.