THOMAS — A water project in Tucker County will receive $3 million in federal funding, Gov. Jim Justice announced.

The City of Thomas water improvement project will include replacing approximately 35,000 feet of existing water line, rehabilitating three steel water tanks, and replacing one booster pump station.

The project will also include adding a new telemetering system and 360 new water meters, and constructing a new 350 gallon-per-minute water treatment plant.

Justice announced the recommendation of 10 Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program projects that will utilize nearly $30 million in federal grant funding for economic development at abandoned mine land sites across the state.

Grant applications were evaluated by a committee of representatives from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, the West Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Governor’s Office. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) must also give final approval of the projects and amounts awarded.

To qualify, the proposed economic development projects must be located on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act on August 3, 1977.

Since 2016, this program has committed more than $205 million in grant funding to assist projects all across the West Virginia coalfields.

The other recommended projects include:

In McDowell County, an Ashland Resort Tourism Park (Phase 2) project will receive $2,993,500.

The project will build upon the current development at Ashland Resort, adding additional cabins, roadways, retail stores and entertainment venues.

In Kanawha County, a Cleanwater RU2 Process Project will receive $2,950,000. The project will install patented water treatment technology and equipment to treat produced water from oil and gas wells, eliminating the need for the injection of produced water into the ground, while removing salt compounds in a marketable form to be resold.

Also in Kanawha County, a Gravity Adventure Park project will receive $2,163,954. This project includes the construction of world-class mountain bike trails near Clendenin.

In Marion County, a Baxter VFD Sports Park project will receive $600,000. The project will develop approximately six acres adjacent to the Baxter Volunteer Fire Department into a motorsports park capable of holding large events such as tractor pulls, 4-wheeler and dirt bike races, mud bogs, and other related activities.

In Brooke County, West Virginia Farm Foods, LLC will receive $4,000,000. West Virginia Farm Foods, LLC will design, build and operate a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) abattoir that will primarily process cattle from nearly 7,000 farms across three northern West Virginia regions.

In Lewis County, an Opal Smith Highwall and Roanoke Center Expansion project will receive $2,406,739. Expanding on the remote camping sites and water trail to Stonewall Resort State Park, this project includes adding hiking and biking trails near the Opal Smith Highwall, as well as a swimming pool to complement development at the Roanoke Activity Center.

In Ohio County, a Wheeling Heritage Center project will receive $2,011,172/ This project will transform the current Knights Inn property in Wheeling into an 80-room economy hotel with a 47,000 square-foot museum and visitors center.

In Logan County, a Chief Logan Resort and Recreation Center project will receive $6,800,000. Adjacent to Chief Logan Resort State Park, this project includes a themed Mountain Coaster, simulated 3-D coal mine, authentic coal camp structures used for displaying mining and railroad artifacts, food concessions, and merchandise. Additionally, this facility will serve as a training hub for rented equipment to allow non-owners of ATVs to experience the Hatfield-McCoy Trails. Plans also include adding more walking and mountain bike trails in the current Chief Logan Park area.

In Mercer County, a Liberty Station Lodge & Tavern project will receive $2,421,968. Seeking to preserve the African American High School (AAHS) in Bramwell, this community economic business development and revitalization plan will transform the 14,000 square-foot building into a 14-room Lodge and Tavern with upscale dining, a large conference room, and multiple large parking lots.