CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $3 million grant from the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund to West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) to support its work helping West Virginians recover from disasters and address unmet needs.
“Last week, we traveled across southern West Virginia to hear directly from the people who live with these challenges every day,” said Governor Morrisey. “We saw families dealing with serious infrastructure problems and people who have been looking for answers for far too long. We came back knowing there are places where we can make a difference, and this grant is a first step in that direction.”
The grant will be provided in $1 million tranches. WV VOAD works with a network of voluntary and faith-based organizations to bring together skilled workers, volunteers and resources to help West Virginians recover following disasters.
The announcement follows Governor Morrisey’s two-day Water Listening Tour across southern West Virginia last week. The Governor made 11 stops to hear directly from local elected officials responsible for water systems, the men and women who keep those systems running, and the people who depend on them every day.
During the tour, Governor Morrisey saw firsthand how infrastructure problems can affect nearly every part of daily life. Among the challenges were bridges that were out, creating significant access problems for families who rely on them to reach their homes and communities.
“If you fix one of these bridges, you can change people’s lives,” said Governor Morrisey. “Government can’t solve every problem on its own, but we can work with good partners who know these communities and know how to get things done.”
The $3 million grant is one step in the administration’s ongoing work following the Water Listening Tour. The administration will continue reviewing the challenges and recommendations shared during the 11-stop tour as it works with communities and local leaders on solutions to longstanding infrastructure problems across southern West Virginia.
