Requests by West Virginia University for funding to build a research park in Morgantown and a new Extension fire service training academy at WVU Jacksons Mill are among 67 projects statewide still in the running for state Economic Development Grant Committee funding.

The committee met Aug. 12 and whittled the list of proposals down from nearly 200 to 67, but the panel still has a lot of hard choices to make. The remaining projects still ask for about $340 millionnearly three times the amount the committee has to give. The Legislature set up the committee last spring to dole out about $200 million in lottery proceeds. It has already committed $70 million to a Victorian-style outlet center in downtown Wheeling.

“Were extremely pleased to have made the cut,”said John Weete, vice president of economic development and research at WVU .”These projects will help to stimulate economic development in West Virginia and were confident they will be fully funded.”

WVU is seeking $10 million for the research park. If approved, the funding would be used to develop sites on the old poultry farm located off Route 705 near Monongalia General Hospital to accommodate office and lab space, and construction of a building to house a business incubator and early park occupants.

Two million dollars is being sought for the fire service training academy. If approved, the money would be used to complete preparation work on the 35-acre site. The new academy will replace a small, antiquated training facility in Morgantown built in the 1950’s.

The committee now plans to schedule at least four public hearings around the state on the remaining projects. A final decision on which projects will receive funding are expected in September.