HHOMA announces ARPA Listening Tour stops in Gilmer and Wirt counties

CHARLESTON, WV – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) continues its statewide listening tour this month with stops in Gilmer and Wirt counties and invites all public and community comments on ARPA recovery funds.

The tour was launched in August 2021 to hear community needs and how the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation will help. 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.

“Now is the time to share your ideas of how this significant funding should be utilized. It’s the individuals who live, work and play in these communities who we need to hear from,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “I look forward to discussing the American Rescue Plan Act with residents of Gilmer and Wirt counties, listening to their suggestions and reporting back to our state’s leaders.”

The next scheduled stops include:

Thursday, May 12, 5:15 p.m. — Gilmer County (Glenville, WV)
Gilmer County Public Library
214 Walnut St, Glenville, WV 26351

Tuesday, May 24, 6:00 p.m. — Wirt County (Elizabeth, WV)
Dora Bee Woodyard Memorial Library
411 Mulberry Street, Elizabeth, WV 26143

The HHOMA team will meet with local community leaders at each stop, followed by public forums where all community members are 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

HHOMA will visit Calhoun County in June, followed by Upshur, Webster, Braxton, Clay and Nicholas counties in July. Details about these stops will be announced in the coming weeks. More information about the listening tour can be found online at minorityaffairs.wv.gov/ARPAtour.