MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Thursday afternoon, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin and West Virginia State Auditor J. B. McCuskey made American Rescue Plan presentations in Wheeling, Morgantown and Parkersburg. The presentation focused how the nearly $4 billion coming into the state will be spent- cities, towns and counties that will all share $677 million.
Most of the money will go to the auditor’s office and be dispersed through accounts for each government unit using the West Virginia Checkbook program. The program started with just a few municipalities a few years ago and has now expanded and will be required as part of the American Rescue Plan.
According to McCuskey the program is gaining national attention.
“We’ve had four or five states that have already reached to us to send our staff to them to train them on how to set this program up,” McCuskey said,” We’re actually leading the country in this effort right now.”
Morgantown receives $10.65 million, Westover will receive $1.74 million and Kingwood gets $1.27 million. Monongalia County will receive $20.48 million, Marion County $10.87 million, Preston County $6.48 million and Harrison County will receive $13.04 million.
Unlike previous relief packages this money will come directly to local governments over the next four years. The first payment will come from the U.S. Treasury within 60-days of passage and subsequent payments will be made 12 months apart.
“For those naysayers that said we can’t give you all money, you shouldn’t have control of $2 million, $20 million or $10 million,” Manchin said,” Well, you took the same oath I took, all of the office holders took the same oath, I believe when people elected you they thought you could do the job and I know you can.”
Statewide the money is poised to make a generational impact for many communities. Broadband, water systems, drainage, help for rural hospitals and Food assistance are among the targets for the money.
“You would think with all the wealth that came out of the southern coal fields that would at least have clean drinking water and be able to flush a toilet and know it wouldn’t go in a creek- those types of things,” Manchin said,” We’re making up for a lot of time that’s been lost.”
Also included in the package is money to make improvements in schools that have become necessary due to the pandemic.
“Education- $800 million,” Manchin said,” There shouldn’t be a school in West Virginia that doesn’t have proper ventilation and handling systems to make it safer and cleaner for the kids, not one.”
Manchin also noted the bill fills the funding gap for volunteer fire departments that cover fire protection needs for well over 50 percent of the state. Coronavirus shutdowns brought traditional fund raising efforts to complete stop throughout 2020. Manchin said this bill addresses those concerns.
“We couldn’t raise money because we didn’t have bingo, we didn’t have this and we didn’t have that so we lost a lot of revenue,” Manchin said,” That, to me is a legitimate expense to help volunteer fire departments stay alive, if not they’re going to die on you.”
The pair also told local leaders to present any questions to the auditor or his office to ensure they are within guidelines. Manchin also offered to help local governments through the waiver process if they feel a project is important to a community.