EASTERN PANHANDLE, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today made stops in the Eastern Panhandle focused on Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding through the Senate Appropriations Committee to support several improvement projects. In total, Senator Capito secured $241,135,000 in direct spending measures across West Virginia in the FY 2022 appropriations omnibus package.
First, Senator Capito visited Shepherd University where she met with President Mary Hendrix to receive an update on the various CDS requests Senator Capito advocated for, and learn more about how the university is putting these resources toward projects to improve curriculum and university life overall.
“The projects at Shepherd University have the benefit of helping the university through improving programs, curriculum, and the overall college experience,” Senator Capito said. “During the conversations around the Congressionally Directed Spending process, projects like the ones I discussed today with President Hendrix were exactly what I had in mind. I enjoyed the opportunity to receive an update on the plans, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on the Shepherd community.”
“Shepherd University is honored to receive a visit from Senator Capito. We are deeply appreciative for the senator’s support, especially the Congressionally Directed Spending she has kindly secured for our university. This has had a transformational impact on our academic programs, infrastructure, and community. It has been a privilege to work with the senator and experience first-hand her passionate commitment to helping West Virginia,” Dr. Mary Hendrix, President of Shepherd University, said.
Senator Capito then visited the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport where she met with the leadership team about the airport’s efforts to modernize its operations. While at the airport, Senator Capito also met with the leadership of Acoustic Research Systems, which is the world’s leading full service provider of acoustic testing services. During the visit, Senator Capito was briefed on the company’s role in the emergent field of acoustic stress testing of space mission components, followed by a tour of the equipment demo space.
“We appreciated Senator Capito’s visit the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport. The senator has been very supportive of our airport (MRB). It was a pleasure to show her the progress we’ve made at MRB in recent years thanks in part to her efforts. We are the largest airport in the state and now the second busiest. We have been in growth mode for a few years and the hard work is beginning to pay off. Thanks to Senator Capito’s support, we will continue on that trajectory moving forward,” Nic Diehl, Executive Director & CEO of Eastern Regional Airport Authority, said.
“The future is bright for the growth of the Aerospace industry and we believe that we can and will make a great impact to the economic growth in the region,” Jeremiah Leiter, CEO & Co-Founder of the Acoustic Research Systems, said. “We are honored that Senator Capito has put some attention to our mission both here in Martinsburg but also with our other initiatives with the Keystone Space Collaborative. In only a few months she was able to help garner the attention and resources that help us keep moving forward. We are truly grateful for her depth of engagement with these initiatives.”
Senator Capito’s final visit of the day consisted of a walking tour of downtown Martinsburg with Mayor Kevin Knowles. During the tour, the senator learned more about current and future improvements the city is focused on, as well as received a general update on the city.
“Today was a great opportunity to see firsthand how Martinsburg and Berkeley County are taking the right steps to create safe communities, drive job creation, and make the area a great place to live and raise a family,” Senator Capito said. “I want to thank Mayor Knowles for his leadership, and the many other local leaders that are working hard to truly make a difference in the community.”
“The City of Martinsburg has always had a great relationship with Senator Capito and her staff. Her willingness to listen and put into action our needs here in Martinsburg has not gone unnoticed. The city has had several projects in the works such as the Queen Street underpass, the Frog Hollow Trail, and the Martin Street streetscape project, just to name a few. Her staff is always responsive to our needs. Senator Capito and I have worked on several projects over the years, and she has always done things with a passion, and I always look forward to working with her on future projects,” Martinsburg Mayor Kevin Knowles said.
Senator Capito also made a stop at the Berkeley Senior Services Center where she met with seniors and staff.
Photos from today’s visits included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Berkeley Senior Services in Martinsburg, W.Va. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) receives an update on city projects with Martinsburg Mayor Kevin Knowles in Martinsburg, W.Va. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Acoustic Research Systems in Martinsburg, W.Va. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
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