Harpers Ferry wins about $6.3 million in federal funds for water project; town must provide 20% match
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Summary
Mayor announced a congressionally directed spending award of roughly $6.3 million for Harpers Ferry’s water-development project, covering tanks, a pressure-increasing valve and about 12,000 feet of mains; the appropriation became law Jan. 23 and requires a 20% local match, which the town has not fully identified.
Harpers Ferry officials on Feb. 9 told the town council the federal government has approved about $6.3 million in congressionally directed spending to continue a multi-year water development project.
Mayor (unnamed) said the award, secured with help from Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's office, funds work including water tanks, a pressure-increasing valve and roughly 12,000 feet of mains. "I was pleased to report that the president signed this appropriation bill on January 23. So it is now law," the mayor said, thanking town staff and singling out Debbie for her work on past and present grant applications.
The mayor said the CDS submission competed with more than 1,100 requests nationwide and Harpers Ferry ranked near the top of approved awards, an outcome he called a "remarkable accomplishment for Harpers Ferry." Previously, he noted, the town received a $625,000 award for a water-meter project and earlier water-development funding of about $3.6 million.
The appropriation requires a 20% local match. Council documents and discussion described the match as part of the grant terms; Debbie said the town will seek matching funds from the governor’s office and other sources. Council members and staff cautioned that while current awards have not yet required rate increases, future phases (and the 20% match for additional phases) could require rate adjustments if alternative funding is not identified.
Council also approved outreach materials tied to the meter-replacement portion of the work: a sign and a brochure to be placed near project signage to inform ratepayers about the CDS-funded project and what to expect during meter installation.
What happens next: staff will continue project planning, work with state and federal grant administrators on compliance and signage requirements, and include the grant and match implications in next month’s budget discussions.
