HHOMA announces American Rescue Plan Act Listening Tour stops in Doddridge, Harrison, and Lewis counties

Invites all public and community comments on ARPA recovery funds

CHARLESTON, WV – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) continues its statewide listening tour this month, with stops in Doddridge, Harrison, and Lewis counties.

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.

“This listening tour will continue through December, until we have visited each West Virginia county,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “It is important that we hear from as many local leaders and community members as possible, so I encourage all West Virginians to attend the tour stop in their county and voice their ideas about how the state’s ARPA allocation should be utilized.”

The next scheduled stops include:

Thursday, April 7, 6:30 p.m. – Doddridge County
Doddridge County Public Library
170 Marie Street, West Union, WV 26456

Wednesday, April 13, 6:30 p.m. – Harrison County
Hilton Garden Inn
606 Emily Drive, Clarksburg, WV 26301

Monday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. – Lewis County
Hampton Inn Weston
76 Hospitality Way, Weston, WV 26452

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:

• Pandemic-related challenges
• Targeting greatest needs
• Making an impact
• Sustainability
• Pooling resources

HHOMA will visit Gilmer and Wirt counties in May, followed by Calhoun County in June. 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.