May 29, 2025
Maxwelton, WV – The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC) has been awarded $224,200 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support the safe removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials from the former Greenville School building in Monroe County.
This work is a critical first step toward preparing the site for redevelopment and is expected to begin in late spring or early summer of 2026.
“This grant allows us to address the environmental hazards at the site while laying the foundation for future investment in housing,” said Ruthana Beezley, Executive Director of GVEDC. “We remain committed revitalizing underutilized properties and supporting partnerships that result in future redevelopment options in Monroe County.”
The project has been a collaborative effort of the GVEDC, the Monroe County Council on Aging, Region 1 Planning and Development Council, the Monroe County Commission, and the WV Brownfields Assistance Center at Marshall University.
Applications for additional grant funding to support the full demolition of the school building have been submitted. Once contaminants are cleared and demolition is complete, the site will be ready for new construction aimed at meeting the growing need for affordable housing in the region.
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The Greenbrier Valley EDC is the local economic development authority for Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Monroe Counties whose mission is to strategically facilitate economic growth and higher wages through collaborative partnerships, while preserving the natural beauty and quality of life in the Greenbrier Valley region.
