NRGRDA NRG Working Group Funds 10 Technical Assistance Infrastructure Projects

Beckley, W.Va. (January 27, 2025) – The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) announced 10 awardees of its NRG Working Group Technical Assistance Fund totaling more than $490,000.

Jina Belcher, Executive Director of NRGRDA, said federal funding through a Congressionally Directed Spending request allowed the New River Gorge Regional Working Group Technical Assistance Fund to support priority projects throughout its four-county region. Through competitive solicitation, area non-profit and governmental units submitted proposals for a range of infrastructure improvement planning within the region that would bring about justifiable economic impact. Projects selected for planning funds had to:

• Target a need for an infrastructure improvement necessary for economic growth
• Support business retention through contracting local businesses for infrastructure improvement project implementation
• Identify potential opportunities for regional connectivity through the implementation of the project

Projects selected for funding fit within NRG Working Group infrastructure priorities, which are utilities; public health and quality of place; transportation, development priorities; and environmental justice.

Proposals selected are:

• Raleigh County Airport Rail Access Initiative
• Meadow River Recreational Corridor Master Plan
• New River Train: Planning for Fayette County’s Public Indoor Training and Recreation Facility
• Forest Hill Water Access and Infrastructure Enhancement Project
• Raleigh County Parks and Recreation Master Plan
• Camp Summers Multipurpose Building and Site Development Project
• Summersville Lake Trail System Feasibility Study
• Site Suitability Plan for Longacre Section of Smithers WV
• Hawks Nest Rail-Trail Network Mountain Bike Study
• Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center Economic Impact Study

Belcher said projects receiving technical assistance must be implemented in at least one of the four counties of the New River Gorge region (Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Summers). While this round of funding was limited and highly competitive, NRGRDA hopes to secure additional funding to support planning for future projects. For more information, see the NRGRRDA website: https://nrgrda.org/nrgworkinggroup/

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About New River Gorge Regional Development Authority: The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority’s (NRGRDA) mission is to initiate, facilitate and support the economic and community development efforts within the counties of Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers. More can be found at https://nrgrda.org/

The West Virginia Hive – NRGRDA’s entrepreneurial program – offers professional technical assistance for new and existing business owners throughout a 13-county region of southern West Virginia. Learn more at wvhive.com