Office of Minority Affairs takes listening tour to North Central West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) continues its statewide listening tour with stops in Wetzel, Monongalia, and Marion 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.

“Everyone has a stake in the outcome and everyone has an opportunity to be heard,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “As community needs are identified and investment allocated, Governor Jim Justice has called for transparency, sustainability, and sound fiscal management that strengthens equity and includes unserved and underserved populations in our state.”

The scheduled stops are:

Thursday, Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. – Wetzel County
Lewis Wetzel Family Center
442 E. Benjamin Dr, New Martinsville, WV 26155

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. – Monongalia County
Courtyard by Marriott Morgantown
Liam Conference Room
460 Courtyard St, Morgantown, WV 26501

Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. – Marion County
The Falcon Center at Fairmont State University
3rd Floor Conference Rooms
1201 Locust Ave, Fairmont, WV 26554

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.