U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made stops in Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, and Martinsburg Tuesday to receive updates on community projects and get updates on plans for projects supported by Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) tax dollars that came through her office

Capito, who is a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, appeared on Panhandle Live ahead of a busy day and said

“Well, I’m going to be spending some time in Jefferson and Berkeley County to talk to the local leaders of how we’ve worked together for congressional directed spending,” Senator Capito said. “You know, I’m very passionate about law enforcement and our firefighters. And a lot of times these local municipalities or the counties have difficulty affording new technologies and so they came to me and have asked me for help.”

One of the first stops was in Harpers Ferry where a recent Congressionally Directed Spending allocation aimed at improving water quality and service for the towns of Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, and Jefferson County.

That award totaled $5,051,000 for the Harpers Ferry Water Distribution System Project to modernize the aging water system and encourage future growth in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The project is aimed at significantly reducing high water loss, securing long-term service for customers, improving system resilience against flooding, and providing cleaner, safer water for Harpers Ferry, according to the allocation announcement made by Capito’s office in February.

“I was glad to join local leaders here in Harpers Ferry in receiving updates on the funding I helped secure through recent Congressionally Directed Spending allocations,” Senator Capito said. “These investments will help ensure residents have access to safe, reliable water infrastructure, while supporting continued growth and development across the region.”

“The historic Town of Harpers Ferry is incredibly grateful to Senator Capito for recognizing and supporting the rehabilitation of our aged and severely compromised water distribution system. Through the Senator’s efforts the enhancements to our system will now better service our residents, businesses and the hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists Harpers Ferry hosts annually,” Gregory Vaughn, Mayor of Harpers Ferry, said, according to a press release from Senator Capito’s office.

Next, Senator Capito traveled to Charles Town to visit the Charles Town Police Department where she reviewed progress on CDS-supported projects benefitting the police department. During the visit, local officials provided updates and a tour of the facility to highlight new technology that was purchased through CDS funding of $120,000 announced in March for the acquisition of law enforcement equipment.

“It’s great to be back in Charles Town to receive updates and view upgrades to the police department—a project I was proud to support through the Congressionally Directed Spending process. By making needed upgrades to the technology that is used by the department, the city will be better equipped to respond to community needs and deliver service to residents effectively,” Senator Capito said.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Senator Shelley Moore Capito for her steadfast commitment to public safety and her continued support of the Charles Town Police Department. Through this grant opportunity, the department was able to procure critical equipment, including ballistic shields, tire deflation devices, first aid and trauma kits, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and other essential emergency response equipment,” Christopher Kutcher, Chief of Police for the Charles Town Police Department, said. “These resources have already proven invaluable, significantly enhancing our officers’ preparedness and their ability to respond effectively to a wide range of calls for service within our community. We are truly grateful for this investment in the safety and well-being of both our officers and the citizens we proudly serve.”

Senator Capito then visited the Jefferson County Government Complex for updates on the expansion of the Jefferson County Health Department—a project that Senator Capito supported through the Congressionally Directed Spending process.

“The work underway in Jefferson County reflects a strong commitment to protecting public health—an effort I’ve been proud to support through the Appropriations process,” Senator Capito said. “I appreciated the opportunity to receive updates on the expansion of the Jefferson County Health Department. Through the CDS process, I’ve worked to support priorities that ensure families have access to quality care. Jefferson County is making meaningful progress, and I’m proud to partner with local leaders to help advance these important initiatives.”

“The relocation and expansion of the Jefferson County Health Department is a critical need for our county, and Senator Capito delivered. The new facility will be located in the heart of the population it serves with access to public transportation,” the Jefferson County Commission said. “This investment, made possible through the Senator’s support, is a significant step forward in improving access to care, strengthening public health, and better serving our community.”

Finally, Senator Capito traveled to Martinsburg where she visited the Martinsburg Fire Department to review progress on CDS-supported projects benefitting the fire department, received updates from local officials, and went on a tour of the facility that showcased some of the equipment purchased through the funding.

“I was glad to visit the Martinsburg Fire Department and see firsthand the progress made possible through Congressionally Directed Spending funding I helped secure,” Senator Capito said. “These investments are providing our local first responders with the equipment and resources they need to better protect and serve their communities.”

The press release from Capito’s office quotes Martinsburg Fire Chief Bradley Knierieum as saying the funding secured for a new ladder truck “is critical to improving our operational capabilities and ensuring the safety of both our firefighters and the public. This investment will have a lasting impact on our ability to respond effectively to emergencies across the City of Martinsburg and Berkeley County.”