HHOMA takes listening tour to Mineral and Hampshire counties

Invites all public and community comment on ARPA recovery funds

CHARLESTON, WV – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) continues its statewide listening tour in December with two stops in Mineral and Hampshire 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. HHOMA 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.

“With the support of Governor Justice, we have traveled to 14 counties so far but are diligently planning visits to the rest of the state through next December,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “It has truly been an honor to sit down with local leaders and members of each community to discuss how these important funds should be used. Everything learned throughout the listening tour will be taken into consideration.”

The scheduled stops are:

Thursday, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m. – Mineral County
Mineral County Chamber of Commerce
167 S. Mineral St, Suite A, Keyser, WV 26726

Tuesday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. – Hampshire County
Romney Town Hall, Council Chambers
340 E. Main St, Romney 26757 (parking and entrance in rear)

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.