NEW MARTINSVILLE — Members of the Bel-O-Mar Regional Council were encouraged to apply for funding related to their infrastructure projects by two federal legislators on Thursday.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., attended the council’s quarterly meeting held at Quinet’s Court Restaurant in New Martinsville.

Afterward, they traveled just a few miles south to Paden City to tour the Paul Wissmach Glass Co. factory.

Both Capito and McKinley touted their latest infrastructure bill — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — adding the dollars should be beneficial to local governments in need of money for projects.

“We’ve waited long enough and we deserve this in West Virginia,” McKinley said of the infrastructure bill. “We’re going to do better and we deserve better.”

He added that the infrastructure bill is not related to the Build Back Better bill, which has not been passed by Congress.

“There is no social spending in this bill. That is in Build Back Better,” he said.

Capito noted “there is no better time” for local governments to take advantage of funding.

“We can help you,” she said.

Capito said this is the first year that earmarks will be back for legislators to use.

McKinley thanked members of the council for their work in leading their communities. The council has representatives from both Ohio and West Virginia.

“God bless all of you and thank you for what you do to make West Virginia better,” he said.

The council approved its work program and budget for fiscal year 2023 on Thursday that totaled $560,294. It was noted that changes to the budget could occur as the year progressed.

Meanwhile, while at the glass factory, McKinley and Capito met the factory’s new owners — Jason Wilburn and his wife Annabelle Javier.

Originally from Pittsburgh, the couple purchased the factory last April. They gave the legislators a tour of the facility that has been making sheets of colored glass since 1904. Also in attendance was Beri Fox, president and CEO of the Marble King factory also in Paden City.

Fox talked about how well the two companies work together. The leaders of both companies talked about some of their challenges including keeping workers along with the rising costs of doing business.