Keith Nelsen, the manager of the Wetzel County PSD, on behalf of the Wetzel County Commission, receives a $1.1 million Small Cities Block Grant from Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. The grant is for the $3.6 million project to extend water service to approximately 94 households.

On. Dec. 12 Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin presented over $12.5 million in Small Cities Block Grant funds for 17 critical infrastructure projects, including one in Wetzel County.

More than $66 million in other federal, state, and local funds will be leveraged to complete these projects-serving approximately 12,200 citizens, of which nearly 60 percent are low-and moderate-income individuals. More than 5,480 households in these communities will receive improved or new service as a result of these investments.

“The Small Cities Block Grants I presented today will help fund important infrastructure projects throughout our state-directly improving our communities,” Gov. Tomblin said. “Having the necessary infrastructure in place makes West Virginia a better place to live and allows us to further promote economic development. I’m grateful for the strong local support that’s helping these projects thrive.”

The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides Small Cities Block Grant funds to the state.

The Community Development Division of the West Virginia Development Office manages these funds.

The Wetzel County Commission received $1.1 million to help fund a $3.6 million project for Wetzel County Public Service District No. 1. The Phase IV Water Line Extension will extend water service to 94 households on the State Run Road, Eight Mile Road, and surrounding areas of Wetzel County.