CHARLESTON – Earlier this week, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin presented over $12.5 million in Small Cities Block Grant funds for 17 critical infrastructure projects. More than $66 million in other federal, state, and local funds will be leveraged to complete these projects-serving approximately 12,200 citizens, of which nearly 60 percent are low-and moderate-income individuals. More than 5,480 households in these communities will receive improved or new service as a result of these investments. Boone County received $1.3 million towards a $2.1 million project that will extend water service to the Mud River Cox's Fork area of Boone County. Approximately 129 new households will benefit from this project. "The Small Cities Block Grants I presented today will help fund important infrastructure projects throughout our state-directly improving our communities," Gov. Tomblin said. "Having the necessary infrastructure in place makes West Virginia a better place to live and allows us to further promote economic development. I'm grateful for the strong local support that's helping these projects thrive." The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides Small Cities Block Grant funds to the state. The Community Development Division of the West Virginia Development Office manages these funds.