Gov. Justice announces nearly $29 million in AML grant recommendations
A message for John xxxxxx -
[email protected]
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Gov. Justice announces nearly $29 million in AML grant recommendations
CHARLESTON, WV — Gov. Jim Justice announced ([link removed]) today the recommendation of 12 Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program projects that will utilize $28.6 million in federal grant funding for economic development at abandoned mine land sites across the state.
“The dollars we’ve invested to revive our abandoned mines are helping transform West Virginia’s tourism economy,” Gov. Justice said. “These lands are now becoming a whole new kind of treasure—tourism spots and job hubs. We’re taking the beautiful land God gave us here in West Virginia and using it to show the world why we’re one of the top tourist destinations around.”
Grant applications were evaluated by a committee of representatives from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), the West Virginia Department of Commerce, the West Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Governor’s Office. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) must also give final approval of the projects and amounts awarded.
Gov. Justice recently announced AMLER funding for the Wheeling Gateway Center ([link removed]) project in Ohio County and Mylan Park's RV KOA Resort and Campground ([link removed]) Phase II Project in Monongalia County.
To qualify, the proposed economic development projects must be located on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act on August 3, 1977.
View map of AML sites in West Virginia ([link removed])
Administered by the WVDEP's Office of Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation ([link removed]) , the AMLER program has committed over $233 million in grant funding to assist projects all across the West Virginia coalfields, since 2016.
"These AMLER projects demonstrate our commitment to turning the environmental challenges of abandoned mine lands into economic opportunities that benefit communities across West Virginia," said WVDEP Secretary Harold Ward. "By repurposing these sites, we not only restore the land but also create sustainable tourism, recreational, and business development opportunities that can revitalize local economies for generations to come."
The recommended projects include:
Fayette County
Adventures West Virginia – $3,000,000
The project proposes to construct a four-story rope course featuring an event deck on its top level, a river-themed miniature golf course, volleyball court, and a pickleball court at Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing. Additionally, this project would extend the Rendezvous River Lodge and create a retail area, pool, and check-in area.
Kanawha County
Air Raid Bike Park Phase II – $1,225,000
This project aims to further develop the Air Raid Bike Park, which will be located in West Virginia's Gravity Adventure Park in Clendenin. Gravity Adventure Park is currently under development as a world-class, family friendly outdoor tourist destination in the state, providing a variety of thrilling recreational activities. This inclusive park is designed to accommodate both able-bodied and disabled individuals.
Logan County
White Mountain Lodging – $1,549,667.00
An expansion and second phase of the current Rising Estates Trail Lodging Project, this project will add three new luxury cabins, five new glamping sites and create an upgraded access road with infrastructure that can be the location of numerous future cabin and glamping sites.
Mingo County
Cumberland Village – $1,950,000
The Cumberland Village project aims to offer a one-of-a-kind vacation destination and entertainment experience in southern West Virginia. The Village will provide the nearby Hatfield-McCoy Trail System riders with alternative entertainment and lodging options and will be tailored to attract outdoor-loving tourists with varying interests. Initial plans include a restaurant, general store, RV camp sites, cabin rentals, putt-putt golf course, go-kart track, petting zoo, and an airplane/car museum.
Monongalia County
Mylan Park's RV KOA Resort and Campground Phase II Project – $1,000,000
The project will be Phase II of the KOA RV Campground & Resort which involves the construction of 26 modular Lancaster Log Cabins and the paving of interior campground roads.
Nicholas County
Cranberry Tri-Rivers Rail Trail – $1,298,000
The Cranberry Tr-Rivers Trail project in Richwood will improve 16 miles of rail trail and install additional infrastructure, including a campground, picnic shelter, trail kiosk, and playground.
Ohio County
Wheeling Gateway Center – $4,400,000
The Wheeling Gateway Center project proposes to transform the Knights Inn property into a new 20,000 square-foot visitors center. The Gateway Center will include a heritage museum, event center, and office space, along with retail stores, a marquee restaurant, and grand outdoor plazas. The Gateway will be located at the foot of the historic and now-restored Wheeling Suspension Bridge on Main Street in the heart of downtown, overlooking the Ohio River connected to the Wheeling Heritage Trail.
Preston County
TAZ Site Development – $3,957,000
This project includes the purchase of property and an approximately 12,000 square-foot building near Bruceton Mills and the extension of sanitary sewer and natural gas to the site for future development.
Raleigh County
Clear Fork Rail Trail II – $4,450,000
This project includes construction of approximately 9.73 miles of multi-use, recreational rail trail.
Tucker County
National Youth Science Academy: Davis Campus – $2,337,000
The National Youth Science Academy will build housing for 150 campers and staff at its Davis Campus, to expand its capacity to offer year-round STEAM educational programming.
Wayne County
Rustic Ravines Lodging & Tourism Attraction Plan – $1,500,000
This project will provide upgrades and additions to Rustic Ravines in Genoa, including 75 full-service RV sites, 20 tent sites (with electric), a new shower house, two deluxe tree house cabins, five A-frame cabins, deluxe cabins, pool, concession stand, restroom area, splash pads, water slides, hiking trails, ATV trails, horseback riding, and an uphill fitness run/challenge.
Wyoming County
The Landing Strip – $2,000,000
This project will service the local ATV Trail systems by building 37 high-quality, fully equipped cabins with utilities, a maintenance building, and an activity barn.
TOTAL RECOMMENDED FOR ALL PROJECTS: $28,666,667
###
============================================================
CONTACT THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
C.J. Harvey
Director of Communications
**
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
Rachael Harper
Senior Communications Specialist
**
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected])
FOLLOW GOVERNOR JUSTICE
** Gov. Justice on Twitter ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Facebook ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Instagram ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on YouTube ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Flickr ([link removed])
** Governor's Website ([link removed])
You are receiving this email from Governor Jim Justice's Communications Office. Any reference to the word "campaign" in any link associated with this email has been generated by Mailchimp, an online web-based marketing program, and not by the Office of the Governor. Any document linked in this email is a document of the Governor's Communications Office and not of any campaign.
We routinely add email addresses from people we meet who contact Governor Justice's office. If you do not wish to receive messages from our office, please click the Unsubscribe link below for instant removal.
You are receiving this email because you asked to receive updates from the Governor's Office.
Our mailing address is:
Governor's Communications Office
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
State Capitol
Charleston, WV 25305
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]
