ÿþ January, 2012  Wild, Wonderful & Open For Business Message From WV State Director Bobby Lewis Inside this issue: Rural Development Assists With Renovation of Riverview at Clendenin School 2 Town of Rainelle Receives Funding For Water System Upgrades 2 EEOAC Special Emphasis Program Managers Assist Employees With Equipment 3 Two ARRA Projects Begin Construction During First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2012 3 Contact Information 4 State Office 1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 101 Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone: 304-284-4860 OR 800-295-8228 Fax: 304-284-4893; TTY/TDD 304-284-4836 Gail.Bennett@wv.usda.gov Almost Heaven WV Mountain State Rural Express We re on the Web! http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wv  Wild, Wonderful & Open For Business USDA Rural Development is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider, and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, DC 20250-9410. Almost Heaven WV Mountain State Rural Express Rural Express Funding for this project was made possible through several different organizations including USDA Rural Development funds totaling $1.2 Million (Community Facilities and Rural Business-Cooperative Development Service) and $2.7 Million in State funding from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Also, $400,000 from the US Department of Health and Human Services and $1 Million in State and Federal historic tax credits were utilized to make this revitalization effort a reality. Almost Heaven WV Mountain State Rural Express Rural Express Page # Rural Development Assists With Renovation of Riverview at Clendenin School January, 2012 Rural Express Rural Express Page # Winter is upon us and as we tread through winter into spring, Rural Development employees are eager to assist individuals and communities with their financial needs. Rural Development offers over 40 loan, grant, loan guarantee and technical assistance programs. We lend to individuals, businesses, non-profits, etc. I cannot imagine one community in West Virginia not needing the financial resources that we have available for home buying, business expansion, renewable energy, broadband capabilities, just to name a few. For information on all our programs, please visit us on the web at www.rurdev.usda.gov or feel free to call and/or stop by your local USDA Rural Development office. Alicia Arms Apartments Receive  Facelift Alicia Arms Apartments, a 32-unit USDA Rural Development Section 515 Elderly Housing Complex built in 1987 located in Chester, Hancock County, WV, was able to receive $800,000 in much needed improvements using West Virginia Housing Development Fund tax credits. The work was done over a three month period starting in September and finished up late in December. The rehabilitation of the exterior of the building included new roofing, siding, win Improvements to the interior of the apartment units were new cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, new appliances, blinds, flooring, heating and air conditioning units and accessibility features.  I love my new apartment; it is just like moving into something brand new. And, in particular,  I love my new walk-in shower and (new) dishwasher, stated tenant Clarice Cronin. Another tenant, Joann Louk, commented that the property is  lovely and  really beautiful. windows and doors. A privacy fence was added to the property.  ...really cuts down on noise coming from the trucks on the road outside the property, explained site manager Grace Miller.  The tenants are very happy and they are very pleased with the improvements, they love the picnic area and they love the new windows, which will be easier to clean. The rehabilitation to the exterior also included new sidewalks, site sign and accessibility updates. Riverview at Clendenin School was officially opened on October 26, 2011, marking the completion of a seven year, $5 Million renovation project of the former Clendenin Middle School. The building is now home to 18 units of senior housing and an expansion of the Cabin Creek Health Care Clinic. A local non-profit corporation, 25045-A New Clendenin, spearheaded this renovation effort. Their goal was to turn the dilapidated school into something that would spur economic development and benefit the whole area. The Town of Rainelle, located in Greenbrier County, received a funding commitment of $2,675,000 in December 2011 for its system upgrade project. The Town currently owns and operates a water treatment plant and distribution system serving approximately 960 households and small businesses. The plant was constructed in 1973, and it along with the distribution system, are in need of repair. correction of problems that are identified. The end result should be better accessibility to government funded facilities for handicapped clients, for handicapped employees, and for the general public. In support of the Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee (EEOAC) mission, the Special Emphasis Program Managers provided SmartTools for each West Virginia Area Office in 2011 from agency funds that were allocated for the Special Emphasis Program activities. The SmartTool provides an accurate digital readout of the degrees of angle for a slope, the percent of slope, and the pitch of a slope measured in inches per feet. USDA Rural Development employees completing on-site inspections for civil rights compliance rev reviews can use the SmartTools to determine if ramps and other facilities are in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The quick and accurate detection of deficiencies will enable faster cor Clendenin Middle School 2012 Water treatment filters at the plant are nearing the end of their useful service life and the estimated water loss within the distribution system is at approximately fifty percent. In order to alleviate these and other issues, construction will involve leak repairs, the replacement of the outdated filters, and a leak detection and pre-treatment process. The project will help to ensure continued safe and reliable public water service to rural residents. EEOAC Special Emphasis Program Managers Assist Employees With Equipment Town of Rainelle Receives Funding For Water System Upgrades Pictured (l to r): Special Emphasis Program Managers Joe Crickenberger, Kitty Saddler, Brian Childers, Penny Thaxton, Shane Houck and Jesse Gandee. Two ARRA Projects Begin Construction During First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2012 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 consisted of legislation that was designed to revive the economy and create and retain jobs. The ARRA provided approximately $3.5 Billion nationally for water and wastewater projects with Rural Development. Of the total, the agency committed $102,998,500 to water and wastewater projects within West Virginia. Since 2009, many ARRA projects have either begun or completed construction; however, two water projects closed on funding and began construction during the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012. The Town of Grantsville, located in Calhoun County, closed their water system improvements project in December 2011. The project includes a new 300,000 gallon water storage tank, approximately one mile of replacement waterline, and all necessary valves, fittings and accessories. Issues such as frequent line breaks, inadequate capacity for demand, and poor fire protection will be addressed upon completion. The improvements are vital for the continuation of adequate service to the Town s 365 rural users as well as two neighboring public service districts that purchase water from Grantsville. Rural Development funds include a loan of of $1,075,000 and grants of $313,000, for a total project cost of $1,388,000. The McDowell County Public Service District began construction on its Jolo Phase IV waterline extension project in November 2011. The project will bring public water service to approximately 110 households within the Jolo and Paynesville areas of McDowell County. Residents within the project area currently rely on private water sources such as wells that consistently produce contaminated water due to their proximity to household septic systems. Construction will involve 15 miles of new waterline, a new 75,000 gallon water storage tank, and 28 fire hydrants. Rural Development funds include a loan of $400,000 and a grant of $1,324,000 along with a State Abandoned Mine Lands grant of $2,473,000, for a total project cost of $4,197,000. USDA Rural Development s Mission: To Increase Economic Opportunity and Improve The Quality of Life for All Rural Americans. USDA Rural Development s Vision: A Rural America That Is A Healthy, Safe & Prosperous Place To Live and Work. Pictured to the right: Brian Childers demonstrates the utilization of the SmartTool. Before Rehabilitation After Rehabilitation