The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) continues its statewide listening tour in November with stops in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties.
The tour was launched in August to hear what communities need and how the state’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) allocation can help. The Office of Minority Affairs will continue to conduct the tour through December 2022.
Congress passed the ARPA to stimulate the nation’s recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. West Virginia has been allocated $1.6 billion of ARPA funding.
“We are traveling the state to share with you what we know about the American Rescue Plan Act funding,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “We are on this journey to listen as you share with us how the COVID pandemic has affected you and your community. Together, we can identify the communities’ needs and where investments should be allocated. Governor Jim Justice has called for transparency, sustainability, and sound fiscal management that strengthens equity and includes unserved and underserved populations in our state.”
The scheduled stops are:
–Monday, November 1, 6:30 p.m. – Berkeley County. Holiday Inn Martinsburg, 301 Foxcroft Ave, Martinsburg, WV 25401.
–Thursday, November 4, 6:30 p.m. – Jefferson County. Shepherd University Student Center – The Cumberland Room, 210 N. King Street, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.
–Tuesday, November 9, 6:30 p.m. – Morgan County. Morgan County Commission, 77 Fairfax Street, Room 101, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.
At each stop, the HHOMA team will meet with local community leaders, followed by public forums where all community members will be invited to receive information and share their ideas.
Topics of discussion will include the following:
–Pandemic-related challenges
–Targeting greatest needs
–Making an impact
–Sustainability
–Pooling resources
Upcoming event dates and locations will be announced throughout the listening tour and can be found online at minorityaffairs.wv.gov/ARPAtour. Details will also be shared on HHOMA’s social media pages.
The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, which operates within the Office of Governor Jim Justice, is committed to assisting all underserved citizens across West Virginia and developing innovative ways to address issues affecting minority populations through conversation, education, leadership, and collaboration. For more information, visit our social media pages, our website at minorityaffairs.wv.gov, or call our office at 304-356-2023.
