CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made stops over the past several days in Ripley, Charleston, Weirton, Follansbee, Pineville, Northfork, Kimball, Huntington, and Pipestem during the U.S. Senate’s state work week. The visits focused on local projects and programs she secured funding for in the state. In total, Senator Capito secured $241,135,000 in direct spending measures across West Virginia through the FY 2022 appropriations omnibus package.
On Monday, Senator Capito made multiple stops in Jackson County to discuss broadband expansion, announce key federal funding she secured for Ripley’s wastewater system, and meet with local leaders. At Ripley City Hall, she announced the $3 million in congressionally directed spending she secured through the Senate Appropriations Committee to upgrade the city’s wastewater and sewer systems.
“Today’s visits in Ripley re-emphasized two of the basic needs of the community, which are a safe, functioning water and wastewater system, and reliable internet access for students, businesses, and seniors,” Senator Capito said. “Fortunately, it also highlighted the tremendous efforts underway to accomplish our shared goals and improve on both of these fronts for residents in Jackson County and the surrounding area. I fought to ensure West Virginia would receive ample funding for broadband deployment in the bipartisan infrastructure law, and I was proud to secure $3 million in direct funding for the city’s continued water system upgrades. I look forward to continuing our work with local leaders and employers to support these projects that are so critical to the future of this community.”
For more on this and other stops Senator Capito made in Jackson County, click here.
On Tuesday, Senator Capito visited Yeager International Airport in Charleston, W.Va. where she toured Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School and participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new U.S. Customs facility.
“It’s hard to believe that before today, Yeager Airport did not have a customs building,” Senator Capito said. “Yeager Airport—as well as our other airports across West Virginia—are critical economic drivers, which is why improving and maintaining them is just as important. The addition of this new customs building will help our efforts to continue building the international presence that will help our state grow economically, and I’m thrilled to be a part of today’s ceremony to officially open this new facility.”
For more on these visits, click here.
On Wednesday, Senator made several stops in the Northern Panhandle focused on congressionally directed spending funding she secured through the Senate Appropriations Committee to support several infrastructure improvement projects.
Senator Capito visited Weirton Frontier Crossings where she received an update on a project she helped secure funding for, including congressionally directed spending she secured that will help leverage an estimated $2 billion in private investment. She also received a briefing from leadership of the Weirton Water Board about the $22 million congressionally directed spending she helped secure for the city’s water treatment system.
“The projects I advocated for in Weirton have the benefit of helping residents through improved water system, but they will also lead to significant economic development opportunities,” Senator Capito said. “During the conversations around the congressionally directed spending process, projects like these were exactly what I had in mind. I enjoyed the opportunity to receive an update on the plans for construction, and I can’t wait to see the positive impact this will have on the community.”
For more on these visits, including a roundtable with local leaders and officials in Follansebee, click here.
On Thursday, Senator Capito made multiple stops in southern West Virginia to discuss economic development, mark the completion of the Elkhorn Phase II Water Project, announce funding she secured to provide clean water service to local households, and visit a local food bank.
During one of her stops in visited Kimball, W.Va., Senator Capito announced the $495,840 she secured in direct spending to provide sanitary septic and sewerage service to 35 households, including 80 people, through the DigDeep Appalachia Water Project in McDowell County.
For more on this visit and her other stops in southern West Virginia, click here.
On Friday, Senator Capito made multiple stops in Huntington, W.Va. to meet with first responders, participate in roundtable discussions with leaders at Marshall University, discuss federal funding she secured for local projects, and meet with the Marshall Head Football Coach and team.
During a roundtable at the Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI), Senator Capito discussed apprenticeship programs and workforce development partnerships, as well as the $4.5 million in direct funding she secured that will go toward boosting RCBI’s nationally recognized apprenticeship Program.
For more on her visits in Huntington and at Marshall University, click here.
On Sunday, Senator Capito joined local leaders from across the country to participate in the National Association of Counties (NACo) Economic Mobility Leadership Network (EMLN) Meeting in Pipestem, W.Va. During the event, county leaders from West Virginia and across the country discussed pressing policy issues and heard from Senator Capito about challenges and achievements that can be learned from West Virginia communities.
“In order for our local communities to be successful, we need to make sure opportunities are available for individuals to climb the economic ladder,” Senator Capito said. “Since day one, I have worked hard in Congress to do my part to create an environment that allows communities in West Virginia to thrive, but there’s always room to improve and untapped opportunities that can help our state continue to grow. NACo’s Economic Mobility meeting provided a valuable opportunity to hear from others across the country about their challenges and solutions and learn from these experiences to improve communities across West Virginia.”
For more on her discussion with NACo on Sunday, click here.
Photos from the events this past week are included below:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) discusses funding she secured for updates to wastewater and sewage system projects in Ripley, W.Va. on Monday, April 18, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in the U.S. Customs facility ribbon cutting ceremony at Yeager International Airport in Charleston, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours Weirton Frontier Crossings in Weirton, W.Va. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in a celebration of the Elkhorn Phase II Water project completion in Northfork, W.Va. on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours the Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va. on Friday, April 22, 2022.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) participates in the National Association of Counties (NACo) Economic Mobility Leadership Network (EMLN) Meeting in Pipestem, W.Va. on Sunday, April 24, 2022.
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