USDA Rural Development Announces $351,000 Investment in Rural Business Development in West Virginia

(Morgantown, W. Va., April 16, 2026) - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development West Virginia State Director John Reisenweber has announced that five organizations will receive a total of $351,000 for rural business development and technical assistance.

The investment comes through the agency's Rural Business Development Grant Program . These projects will expand food access, strengthen small-business infrastructure, and support bio-based industry growth. Reisenweber had an opportunity to visit with some of the recipients and see first-hand how these investments are impacting the communities.

"By funding these projects, we're setting communities up for long-term success. Having visited some of these projects recently, I've seen, directly, how these investments put farmers and hardworking Americans first," said Reisenweber. "They are creating agricultural and small-business incubators, addressing food desert challenges, and supporting manufacturing supply chains. Together, these projects strengthen the foundation for future business opportunities and support rural prosperity in West Virginia."

By The Numbers:

• BCKP Regional Intergovernmental Council, Clay County - $50,000
  This investment will create a grocery store feasibility study for Clay County to analyze past failures, test profitability and ownership models, and develop a marketing tool to attract a sustainable grocer.
  
• Hampshire County Development Authority, Hampshire County - $48,000
  This investment will allow renovations of a former middle school, transforming the site into offices and small-business incubator space, including electrical, window/door, lighting, and bakery kitchen upgrades.
  
• Hampshire County Co-Op Heritage Marketplace, Hampshire County - $112,269
  This investment will allow the co-op to acquire its building, solidifying a community hub that supports local artists, small businesses, and residents through the Rural Business Development Grant program.
  
• Grow Ohio Valley, Inc., Marshall County- $65,731
  This investment will launch a farm incubator in Marshall County with leased heated greenhouse space, irrigated/fenced farmland, wash/pack stations, and Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions to grow market access.
  
• Preston County Economic Development Authority, Preston County - $75,000
  This investment will provide technical assistance to forestry, transportation, sawmill, and biofuel firms and develop a Biofuels Development Opportunity Zone Report to strengthen supply chains and spur jobs.

"These funds have enabled us to remove barriers for beginning farmers by providing access to land, infrastructure, and real market opportunities," said Grow Ohio Valley, Inc. Executive Director Jodi Adams. "More importantly, they allow us to build a sustainable model that supports new farm businesses while expanding access to local food and strengthening the long-term resilience of our regional food system."

"For over a decade, our artist cooperative has worked to acquire this historic building. With support from USDA Rural Development, that vision is now reality," said President of the Hampshire County Co-Op Marketplace Board of Directors Dave Martin. "This investment ensures continued programming while expanding access to classes, workshops, and resources, strengthening small businesses and supporting our community's economic vitality."

The Rural Business Development Grant program supports targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities that promote the development and expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Eligible applicants include rural cooperatives, state government agencies, towns, and communities, nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher learning and Federally recognized Tribes. For more information visit www.rd.usda.gov .

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.

Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov , subscribe to GovDelivery updates , and follow us on X at @RD_WestVirginia .

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