WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of Mingo County’s congressional delegation in the nation’s capital said they have been able to secure more than $1.6 million in federal funds for water improvements.

According to U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall’s office the Mingo County Public Service District has received specifically won a a $900,000 grant and a $763,000 federal loan for the Marrowbone Creek water system.

“Strong and sound water and wastewater systems are critically important to the health and economic well-being of southern West Virginia communities,” said Rahall. “A project like this one in Mingo County continues to improve the quality of life for local residents and helps support businesses here in southern West Virginia to help bring jobs into our communities.”

Mingo County Commission President John Mark Hubbard said he agrees with Rahall about the importance of potable water for rural areas.

“We are so glad to see federal money going to these projects which help so many residents of our county,” he added. “We will continue our commitment to seeing that these communities receive potable water.”

“Many in this country take for granted that when they turn on the tap in their homes, the water is clean and safe to drink and use. For those in rural areas, particularly in Appalachia, this is not always the case,” said Senator Byrd. “I thank the Secretary for these much-needed funds for Mingo County. The USDA Rural Development’s Water and Environmental Program funds are essential to provide investments in rural water and wastewater infrastructure.”

The water improvement project for Marrowbone Creek is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and is expected to create jobs and provide significantly improved water and wastewater infrastructure for the Marrowbone Creek community.

The funding will allow the Mingo County Public Service District to expand water service to approximately 86 rural households in the Marrowbone Creek area. The project expansion will include an installation of approximately eight miles of waterline, and an additional water storage tank with booster station, and necessary accessories.

Marrowbone is one of several projects Mingo County Public Service District Manager J.B. Heflin has been working with the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to fund using Recovery Act funding, said Leigh Ann Ray, county grant coordinator. Other projects that have already been approved are Dingess Phase II and Jennies Creek. An application has also been filed to fund a project for the Ben/Beech Creek areas of the county.

“The people of West Virginia must be provided clean drinking water. Period. With these needed funds, more families in Mingo County will no longer have to rely on insufficient or poor quality water systems,” said Senator Rockefeller. “I have been working on waste-water infrastructure improvements since my days as Governor, and I know how important these improvements can be for our economic development and the well-being of all West Virginians. These improvements mean a brighter and healthier future for the residents of Mingo County and that is great news.”