West Virginia Chamber Encourages Passage of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
September 21, 2021
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is supporting the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that is expected to be voted upon in the U.S. House of Representatives this week.
West Virginia Chamber President Steve Roberts stated, “Businesses need a solid infrastructure to conduct commerce and this important legislation makes a significant investment in the traditional ‘hard infrastructure’ of the United States.”
The bi-partisan infrastructure package passed the U.S. Senate last month on a 69-30 vote. Both of West Virginia’s senators, Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, were among the 69 who voted “Yes” on this important bill.
West Virginia stands to gain nearly $4.4 billion in federal funding should the House pass this bill and it be signed into law by President Biden. The breakdown of what West Virginia can expect to receive is:
- $3 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs
- $506 million for bridge replacement and repairs
- $487 million for drinking water infrastructure
- $100 million (minimum allocation) for broadband coverage
- $190 million for public transportation
- $46 million for electric vehicle charging stations
- $44 million for airport infrastructure development
- $11 million for wildfire protection
- $14 million for cybersecurity protection
Steve Roberts continued, “The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce joins our national colleagues at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in strongly encouraging the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”
The West Virginia Chamber is reminding people that this bill IS NOT the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill that is currently being drafted in Congress. This is an entirely separate issue that is devoted to much-needed traditional infrastructure needs.
Members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce are your small business neighbors. Chamber members employ over half of our state’s workforce and are found in every county and region of our state. More information on the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.wvchamber.com.