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Byrd, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce $30 Million In Economic Stimulus Funding For Repairs To Federal Building In West Virginia 

4/1/2009 

Washington, DC – United States Senators Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., along with Congressman Nick Rahall, WV-3, today announced that West Virginia is slated to receive more than $30.6 million in federal funding as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The monies will be distributed through the U.S. General Services Administration’s Public Buildings Service as part of a $5.5 billion spending program across the country.

 

GSA’s Public Buildings Service is responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of thousands of federally owned facilities for more than one million civilian employees of the federal government.  The ARRA directs $750 million to renovate and construct federal buildings and courthouses, $300 million to renovate and construct land ports of entry and $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings to high-performance green buildings.

 

            Three public building projects in West Virginia will share the $30.6 million:

 

  • Army Corps of Engineers Federal Building, 502 8th Street, Huntington -- $16.752 million;
  • Robert C. Byrd Courthouse and Federal Building, Charleston -- $4.696 million; and
  • 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg -- $9.237 million.

       

      “Funding for these projects is exactly what the ARRA was intended to do – put people back to work, improve our infrastructure, and invest the necessary resources to reduce our energy costs and enhance our economy,” said Byrd.  “In addition, this is another example of how funding from the stimulus package will not only have an immediate impact on local economies and communities, but will help lead the way in making the promise of new energy technologies a practical reality today. By converting these federal facilities into High Performance Green Buildings, we are stimulating local economies, making investments that will provide dividends to taxpayers, and leading the path forward in the implementation of ‘green’ technologies. This is an example of the kind of forward-thinking use of stimulus funds that I endorse, and I am very pleased to see these funds awarded in West Virginia.”

       

      “We need to create as many jobs as possible in West Virginia and the critical funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act will help do just that while improving the energy efficiency of our federal buildings at the same time,” said Senator Rockefeller. “This is great news for our state and will help rebuild our economy for West Virginia families.”

       

      Congressman Rahall added that, “This project does at least four important things.  It extends and enhances the life of an important cog in Huntington's economic wheel.  Secondly, the Corps, which is on the cutting edge of environmental engineering, will be a full partner in the greening of their home base.  They can partner with the environmental engineering program at Marshall to share in this opportunity of the new economy.  We have worked hard to build that partnership over the years.  Third, it's going to be a showcase for the rest of the public and private sectors and set a standard for other properties.   Finally, this enterprise will stand as a constant reminder to all who didn't support this legislation, that they can't stop the future.” 

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