Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she has secured funding from various federal agencies for numerous projects in West Virginia. These initiatives span healthcare, education, environmental cleanup, infrastructure, economic development, and drug prevention.

Senator Capito detailed the grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which include substantial support for the Head Start Program across multiple regions in West Virginia. Specific allocations include $8,823,443 to the North-Central West Virginia Community Action Association in Fairmont and $5,868,430 to the Eastern Panhandle Instructional Cooperative in Martinsburg. Additional funds were allocated for emerging infectious diseases prevention and immunization programs.

From the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), grants were secured to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs at Marshall University and through the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded $258,200 to the Wheeling Park Commission to remove affordability barriers for future zoo professionals seeking applied work experience.

Funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) includes over $28 million for safe drinking water initiatives under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Other EPA grants will support various environmental protection efforts across the state.

The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) provided Drug Free Community grants totaling $1 million to several community organizations focused on drug prevention.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) granted over $1.5 million for broadband industry technical assistance and other regional workforce support programs.

Academic research projects at institutions like West Virginia University (WVU), Marshall University, and West Virginia State University received National Science Foundation (NSF) awards amounting to nearly $2 million collectively.

Additionally, Senator Capito announced Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding aimed at supporting advanced manufacturing training facilities at WVU Parkersburg as well as redevelopment efforts by Lincoln Economic Development Authority post-natural disaster recovery.

Lastly, funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was allocated to Wood County Airport Authority for site improvements.