CHARLESTON, WV - Mingo County Delegates Steve Kominar (D-20th District) and Harry Keith White (21st District), with the assistance of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, procured the Mingo County town of Delbarton emergency funding of $50,000 to upgrade their wastewater treatment facility. The money was allocated from the West Virginia Development Office through the Local Economic Development Partnerships line item.

Combining state and federal funds, the Delbarton Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements and an extension and upgrade of sewer lines will attract business to the area and increase the quality of life for residents and families living in the area. Funding will be used to install more than six miles of sewer pipes, 187 manholes, 17 grinder pumping stations and improve efficiency at the treatment facility.

Upgrading the wastewater treatment facility work will allow the development of a new air transportation park to proceed.

“The money received for the water facility was a critical piece in the funding for the overall project and without this assistance we could not have moved forward on the Air Transportation Park,” said Delbarton Mayor John Preece.

Completion of the Mystery Mountain Air Transportation Park, located on post mine site land donated to the Mingo County Development Authority by Alpha Natural Resources, will benefit economic development opportunities with 800 acres adjacent to the site and a 7,000 foot runway as a result of a public private partnership.

“These types of partnerships between business and government entities help develop the economic opportunities in rural Southern West Virginia,” said Delegate Kominar. “This project will go a long way toward providing chances for future area stakeholders to thrive.”

Also involved in procuring the needed funding were Representative Rahall and Senators Manchin and Rockefeller.

“The Congressional delegation and local Mingo County representatives worked together throughout this process to improve the economic future of Mingo County,” said Delegate White. “Along with economic opportunities, these projects will improve the quality of life for our residents and provide safe and reliable water and sewer services by strengthening the vital infrastructure that grows communities.”

For more information please contact Delegate White's office at (304) 340-3230 and Delegate Kominar's office at (304) 340-3186