Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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June 24, 2010

Pocahontas, Grundy each receive $1M to fund projects

By BILL ARCHER Bluefield Daily Telegraph

— POCAHONTAS, Va. —  Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Wednesday awards of more than $12 million in Community Development Block Grant Funding in 24 Virginia communities. The awards include $1 million to Phase II of the Hurley Regional Water Project as well as $1 million to the Town of Pocahontas for the Pocahontas Historic Downtown Revitalization Project.

“Through these funds, several Virginia localities will receive aid in the revitalization of their central business districts,” McDonnell was quoted as stating in a press release announcing the grants. “Paired with the small business loan pool made available through these grants, they will help revitalize the economies of these communities and bring new jobs, tourists and events to the area.”

Delegate James W. “Will” Moorefield, R-Tazewell, said in a telephone interview that he was pleased the governor selected two projects in the Third Delegate District to receive funding out of the 24 projects statewide.

“The Hurley community will receive an additional $1 million to add to the $3.2 million for Phase II of the water project,” Moorefield said. He said he has been working to bring attention to the Hurley water project. “Clean drinking water is a basic necessity that should be provided to all residents, and the residents of the Hurley community are certainly in need of such a project.

“After several meetings with Gov. McDonnell stressing the issue of clean drinking water, I am pleased that he has agreed to help,” Moorefield said.

“In regard to the Town of Pocahontas, I have pledged to see the revitalization of such an historical town,” Moorefield stated. “With the passing of legislation that I introduced to allow ATV usage on roadways to connect to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System, the announcement of Bluefield College utilizing Pocahontas High School for their revitalized football program and now, funding to begin the preservation of the town, I see many great things to come for the town of Pocahontas.”

When contacted for this article, Moorefield was traveling to Virginia Beach, Va., to serve as a guest speaker at the Virginia Oil and Gas Association Conference. On Friday, Moorefield will be traveling with Sean Connaughton, Virginia Secretary of Transportation, to tour an oil skimming vessel owned by TMT Corp.

– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com

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