We have exciting news to share! After a year-long process, we received official word from the U.S. Economic Development Administration that the Appalachian Climate Technology (ACT) Now Coalition of West Virginia, of which the City of Huntington is a partner, has been awarded $62.8 million in federal funding through its Build Back Better Regional Challenge. Combined with nearly $30 million in matching funds, this constitutes one of the largest investments in climate resilience in West Virginia history. We are so proud to be part of this truly innovative collaboration.
This coalition is led by Coalfield Development, our state’s two largest universities, the cities of Huntington and Charleston, more than 50 private businesses and our most innovative nonprofit organizations.
So what does this mean for Huntington? In simple terms, A LOT!
Approximately $15.7 in federal funding will go toward the transformation of two former industrial sites in Huntington into centers for 21st Century manufacturing.
The former American Car and Foundry (ACF) industrial site, which is owned by the Huntington Municipal Development Authority and is now part of the Huntington Brownfields Innovation Zone, or H-BIZ, will receive $8.2 million to set up a new manufacturing hub. The first anchor tenant of this H-BIZ manufacturing hub will be a new Welding & Robotics Technology Training Center. Marshall University’s Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) will oversee the Training Center in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College (MCTC). RCBI will utilize robotic welding technology at this new Training Center and integrate it into its advanced welding program.
Coalfield Development will receive $7.5 million to partner with Solar Holler and transform the former Black Diamond factory in Huntington’s Westmoreland neighborhood into a new “Mine the Sun” solar training and logistics center.
This coalition is led by Coalfield Development, our state’s two largest universities, the cities of Huntington and Charleston, more than 50 private businesses and our most innovative nonprofit organizations.
So what does this mean for Huntington? In simple terms, A LOT!
Approximately $15.7 in federal funding will go toward the transformation of two former industrial sites in Huntington into centers for 21st Century manufacturing.
The former American Car and Foundry (ACF) industrial site, which is owned by the Huntington Municipal Development Authority and is now part of the Huntington Brownfields Innovation Zone, or H-BIZ, will receive $8.2 million to set up a new manufacturing hub. The first anchor tenant of this H-BIZ manufacturing hub will be a new Welding & Robotics Technology Training Center. Marshall University’s Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) will oversee the Training Center in partnership with Mountwest Community and Technical College (MCTC). RCBI will utilize robotic welding technology at this new Training Center and integrate it into its advanced welding program.
Coalfield Development will receive $7.5 million to partner with Solar Holler and transform the former Black Diamond factory in Huntington’s Westmoreland neighborhood into a new “Mine the Sun” solar training and logistics center.