U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, announced today the approval by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) of a $500,000 grant to the Town of Oceana for a much-needed sewer system upgrade and expansion that will benefit more than 40 households in Wyoming County.

"This is welcome news for Crouch Farm residents who have been dealing with the health and environmental concerns associated with inadequate wastewater systems," said Rahall. "This funding will help encourage economic development and greatly improve the quality of life for many families of Wyoming County."

This extension will build upon a previous ARC project that extended sewer service to a new public high school in the area. The funding will provide for the construction of two new pump stations, two upgraded pump stations, and approximately five miles of new line along McDonald Hollow Road, McDonald Mill Creek Road, and State Route 971.

The ARC's funding will be matched by a $1.5 million West Virginia's Small Cities Block Grant for a projected total cost of $2 million.

As a House Appalachian Caucus Co-Chairman, Rahall has a long history of supporting the ARC, including co-sponsoring successful legislation to protect and extend the ARC's services for West Virginians through 2011.

"The programs of the ARC are vital to health and economic growth of southern West Virginia," Rahall said. "I have strongly supported, and will continue to support, the ARC in its efforts to combat the complex set of economic challenges specific to our area."