Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and U.S. Representative David McKinley (R-WV) announced that West Virginia is receiving $1,615,891 through the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. This critical program was reauthorized through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will fund roads, schools and essential county services in rural communities that host U.S. Forest Service lands.

“Today’s announcement from the United States Forest Service is fantastic news for West Virginia. This latest investment made possible by our bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act gives our rural counties and school districts the resources they need to provide essential services to our students and support communities across the Mountain State. I thank Forest Service Chief Randy Moore for his strong commitment to swiftly distributing these funds, and I look forward to continuing to work closely together to ensure West Virginians are given the tools they need to succeed,” said Chairman Manchin.

“This is welcome news for our communities in West Virginia, particularly those connected to the George Washington and Monongahela National Forests,” Senator Capito said. “I have long been a supporter of the Secure Rural Schools program because it provides our communities with resources needed to make improvements to their schools, roads, and emergency services. This program directly invests into the education of our youth, and highlights the importance of the timber industry in our state. I advocated for the reauthorization of the SRS program as I helped negotiate and craft the bipartisan infrastructure law, and I’m pleased to see West Virginia receive our due share of support.”

“West Virginia’s national forests and parks are a place where many West Virginians and visitors enjoy our state’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities. But the surrounding communities often struggle with funding basic services and education. This funding announcement will continue this to provide help to rural counties by bolstering the Secure Rural Schools Program and improve the quality of life across West Virginia,” said Rep. McKinley.

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