Warner and Kaine Announce $700,000 in Federal Funding for Water Infrastructure Expansion in Wise County

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $700,000 in federal funding for Wise County to expand water service connections as part of the Upper Guest River Sewer Extension project. The funding was awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments that collaborate to invest in community economic growth and innovation in 423 counties across the Appalachian region.

This funding comes after repeated attempts by the Trump Administration to slash critical infrastructure funding, including the President’s proposed budget that included a 93 percent ARC funding cut. The senators have strongly opposed those efforts.

“Families in Wise County that have never had access to mainline sewer will benefit tremendously from this project to extend municipal water treatment lines to their homes,” said the senators. “Every American deserves access to clean water, and we will continue to push to expand key services—despite the Trump Administration’s callous disregard for the importance of infrastructure upkeep and development in rural America.”

Specifically, the funding will cover the construction of 3,000 square feet of new municipal sewer lines to create 24 new water service connections to a previously-unserved portion of the county. This project will serve 120 community members within the Upper Guest River area and support economic development priorities in the region by ensuring residents and future businesses have access to a safe, sanitary sewer system.

Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve clean water access and strengthen rural infrastructure across the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, Warner and Kaine announced over $26 million in federal funding to expand wastewater service to hundreds of households and over 1,000 residents in Lee County. Last year, the senators announced $1.9 million in federal funding for three projects across Virginia, including a waterline replacement project. In 2023, the senators announced over $62 million for water infrastructure upgrades across the Commonwealth and celebrated grants to support economic revitalization. Additionally, the senators are staunch advocates for full funding for the ARC. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—legislation which Warner and Kaine strongly supported and helped pass—authorized an additional $1 billion for the ARC, allowing it to fund more projects throughout the Commonwealth.

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