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- From left, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks during the announcement of grants for water and sewer projects, joined by state Del. Bob Fehrenbacher Wednesday in Parkersburg City Council chambers. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
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- West Virginia State Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, left, thanks the state for working on infrastructure projects in the region during a press conference Wednesday morning in Parkersburg City Council chambers as Gov. Patrick Morrisey, center, and state Del. Bob Fehrenbacher listen. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
From left, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey speaks during the announcement of grants for water and sewer projects, joined by state Del. Bob Fehrenbacher Wednesday in Parkersburg City Council chambers. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
PARKERSBURG — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey visited Parkersburg Wednesday to announce grants totaling more than $9 million for water infrastructure in Wood and Tucker counties.
Speaking before nearly 20 local leaders and government officials in Parkersburg City Council chambers, Morrisey said the state is providing $20 million through the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council for water and sewer projects, unlocking an additional $100 million in federal matching funds. In total, the state will have $120 million to dedicate to water infrastructure upgrades.
The Union Williams Public Service District in Wood County will receive $8,240,000 through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, plus an additional $25,283 in support from the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council. The funds will be used to complete upgrades to the district’s wastewater treatment plant and collection system, affecting 1,744 customers, according to a release from the governor’s office.
Morrisey emphasized the investment is proactive, aiming to address issues before they worsen.
“We’re getting out in front of some of the issues,” he said. “This is a big win for Wood County.”
West Virginia State Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood, left, thanks the state for working on infrastructure projects in the region during a press conference Wednesday morning in Parkersburg City Council chambers as Gov. Patrick Morrisey, center, and state Del. Bob Fehrenbacher listen. (Photo by Gwen Sour)
Morrisey said he wanted to focus on building out core infrastructure as the state works to improve quality of life and economic opportunity.
“This is a very special place,” the governor said of Wood County. “We’re going to be doing everything imaginable to lift up our state economically.”
Morrisey was joined by several state and local officials, including Sen. Mike Azinger, R-Wood; Del. Bob Fehrenbacher, R-Wood; and Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Matt Herridge. All expressed appreciation for the state’s investment and echoed the importance of infrastructure in supporting long-term economic growth.
“Bringing this money to our area is a great thing,” said Azinger. “We appreciate that very much, and we look forward to a great future for West Virginia.”
Morrisey also announced a $480,000 Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council grant to the town of Davis in Tucker County, which will go toward rehabilitation of the Weimer Run Dam structure and replace sections of failing waterline to ensure the town can continue to provide safe, reliable water service to its customers, the release said. A $480,000 low-interest loan from the Council, along with $35,000 each from a preliminary assistance grant and the town brings the total for the project to $1,030,000, impacting 446 customers.
Morrisey also discussed broader goals for his administration, including workforce development, expanding broadband access and improving roads and bridges.
“When you’re attracting business, you’re looking at a whole series of issues, and people look at the infrastructure, but people also look at the financial situation, the tax code, they look at the regulatory environment,” he said. “One of the things I’m really very proud of is we’ve been working very hard to cut the red tape.”
Morrisey addressed questions about the state’s response to recent flooding and the status of the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. While the trust fund, created by the Legislature in 2023, did not receive a budget allocation this year, Morrisey emphasized that flood-related needs are being met through alternative sources, particularly the civil contingency fund.
“There’s money for the floods that occurred in the past that has been utilized,” he said. “In fact, we have spent a considerable amount of money dealing with the aftermath of these floods, obviously down south and then up in Ohio and Marion County. So certainly, there are resources that are available, and they’re being used to try to be as helpful as possible.”
Morrisey concluded the event by reaffirming his commitment to returning to the region and continuing to prioritize infrastructure and economic growth across the state.
“I’m going to keep coming back again and again,” he said. “Any issues that come up that you think I should be made aware of, please let me know, and we’ll do our best to try to address them.”
Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.
