WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $4.4 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to update economic development plans and support programs that help communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“West Virginia’s local economies have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This CARES Act funding will help our communities recover from this crisis, and I am pleased that the EDA is supporting economic development across West Virginia. I will keep advocating for future relief funding that supports our local governments and spurs economic recovery in the Mountain State because the fight against this pandemic is far from over,” said Manchin.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had terrible effects on our nation’s economy, and those pains have been felt all across West Virginia. Throughout this time, I have listened to the people of the state, from small business owners to medical professionals, and heard their concerns directly. Although we are all currently facing the same crisis, the solutions needed in the different regions of our state are quite diverse.

“This funding from the EDA will be given directly to our local development districts, who will observe the different factors that contribute to the economic landscape in their respected regions and identify the resources they need. Giving support directly to our communities will help strengthen our state on an individual basis during this difficult time.

“I am hopeful these investments from the EDA will provide the support our state need to be successful, and will continue to supply the resources we need back home as we continue to battle COVID-19,” said Capito.

Among the EDA investments announced are:

— Region VII Planning and Development Council, Buckhannon, received $400,000 in EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance to support the region’s workforce needs and develop strategies to enhance the region’s economy, specifically focusing on the tourism and timber industries.

— Region VIII Planning and Development Council, Petersburg, received $400,000 in EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance to implement strategies that will provide local government’s greater access and increased communication with the Region VIII staff.