| 4-C Awarded $95,000 Grant to Help Create and Retain Jobs |
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Fred Pace The 4-C Economic Development Authority has been awarded a $95,000 grant to help create and retain jobs, Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., announced Wednesday. Rahall said the Rural Business Enterprise Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will be used in Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers counties in southern West Virginia. Those are the four counties served by the agency. "At a time when American communities, businesses and families are struggling to overcome global competition and economic obstacles, the 4-C Economic Development Authority plays an increasingly important and helpful role in job development in southern West Virginia," Rahall said. "With these funds, the 4-C will be able to make low-interest investments available to local businesses and help bring new jobs, higher wages and economic growth to the area." Judy Radford, executive director at 4-C, says the revolving loan fund has helped many existing industries in the region. "This funding will help with some projects we've identified," Radford said. "It will be used to support our revolving loan fund to encourage private sector job creation and retention of the 4-C region." The project is expected to create five jobs, save 10 jobs and provide monetary assistance to two businesses in Nicholas County. Radford said staff member Kathy Calhoun did much of the grant work. "She filed the application to secure the funds," Radford said. "We are very appreciate to receive this additional funding." "Small businesses are incredible economic engines that bring economic growth and development to our communities," Rahall said. "Across southern West Virginia, we greatly appreciate the help of programs like the USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant and the 4-C Economic Development Authority, which provide much needed assistance to our communities and their efforts to combat the complex set of economic challenges specific to our area." Created in 1988, the 4-C Economic Development Authority is a regional development initiative that works to improve the quality of life for residents by expanding and diversifying the regional economy with increased and enhanced employment opportunities, Radford added. - E-mail: fpace@ register-herald.com
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