CHARLESTON – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) continues its statewide listening tour in March with stops in Randolph, Pleasants, and Tyler 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. 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.

“Last year, we began a statewide tour to share what we know about the American Rescue Plan Act funding with communities across the Mountain State,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “As we continue this journey into 2022, we reaffirm our commitment to listen as you share with us how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted you and your community. Please join us as we answer Governor Jim Justice’s call for transparency, sustainability, and sound fiscal management that strengthens equality and includes unserved and underserved populations in our state.”

The scheduled stops include:

Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. – Randolph County
Wingate by Wyndham Conference Room 
830 Harrison Avenue Elkins, WV 26241

Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m. – Pleasants County
St. Marys Marina 
617 Riverside Drive, St Marys, WV 26170

Thursday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. – Tyler County
4-H Building
88 4-H Drive Middlebourne, WV 26149

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

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.