WVU joins state, local governments to support statewide water infrastructure projects

To help improve critical water access for Mountain State residents, West Virginia University is joining state and local partners to form a statewide network focused on developing and enhancing reliable water infrastructure through increased efficiency, coordination, economic development, and investments.

In partnership with the West Virginia Governor's Office, the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers - housed at both WVU and Marshall University - will play an integral role in helping small or understaffed water systems secure competitive funding for local water infrastructure and systems projects.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the partnership Wednesday (Aug. 19) in Beckley.

"With our state and local partners, WVU will support efforts to find clean water solutions in areas of most need" said Travis Mollohan, vice president for WVU Government Relations and Strategic Affairs. "We appreciate the Governor and his team taking steps to invest in the partnerships and strategies that can improve and modernize water systems across the state."

Liz Vitullo, assistant vice president for Economic Innovation at WVU and co-founder of the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers, said the Grant Centers project development expertise can translate local priorities into competitive funding opportunities.

"The Grant Centers expand local capacity and increase West Virginia's competitiveness for discretionary funding by helping communities submit stronger, more strategic applications," Vitullo said.

"The Grant Centers will help map out state and federal funding, support grant writing, offer training sessions, and develop strategic and attractive grant applications. The Centers will hire a dedicated grant writer to support these efforts."

At WVU, Government Relations and Economic Innovation leaders will tailor pooled resources and technical expertise based on the need of each community project.

"WVU has tremendous expertise that can make a real difference for communities struggling with water infrastructure," Gov. Morrisey said. "This partnership puts that expertise to work helping local water systems compete for funding, navigate complicated requirements, and move critical projects forward. This collaboration will help us deliver results for communities across our state."

As part of the partnership, WVU units will plug in to projects depending on community goals, demands, and scope of work.

For example, through the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, the Cyber-Resilience Resource Center could help organizations protect and defend against cyber threats.

In other cases, the ACTAT team - already known for their work across Appalachian communities in West Virginia and beyond - could provide customized technical assistance and training to small rural water and wastewater utilities.

The West Virginia Water Research Institute will also be on standby to offer expertise and address water quality challenges.

"These are some of the many examples of how we can operationalize our land-grant mission by meeting the needs of each community through customized support and services," Mollohan said.

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