Gov. Justice to attend information fair at White Sulphur Springs Thursday

W.Va. Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher and other state and federal partners will share information on flood recovery plans to help citizens identify existing resources that may be of assistance to them and to facilitate the application process as the anniversary of the devastating 2016 flood approaches.

RISE West Virginia is the state’s long-term recovery initiative aimed at revitalizing local economies affected by the June 2016 flooding. Thursday’s RISE on the Road resource forum takes place at White Sulphur Springs Civic Center, 24 Tressel St., White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County. The schedule is as follows: 5 pm. – explore available resources; 6:30 p.m. – dinner; 7 p.m. – address from Gov. Justice. Visitors can register at wvcommerce.org/RISE-Greenbrier

The session is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

“Our message is simple but powerful: resources are available to help West Virginia’s remaining flood victims,” said Gov. Jim Justice. “I am pleased to announce that as we approach our one year anniversary of the worst disaster I have ever witnessed, I, along with our congressional delegation, have secured $104 million in additional funds to assist with our unmet needs. These funds will help move our great state forward in its long-term recovery and resiliency strategy. We need more, but it is a start.”

West Virginia has received a Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant from The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $104 million. This funding gives the state significant flexibility in determining how best to use these funds to meet the state’s greatest unmet needs. These funds are intended primarily to restore housing, but infrastructure and economic revitalization activities also are eligible for funding.

The state has submitted an action plan to HUD which details the story of both the plans for the initial $104 million CDBG-DR award and the extraordinary remaining unmet need. The first $104 million will be prioritized to assist impacted homeowners whose critical needs have yet to be met following the June 2016 floods. The full plan can be viewed at wvcommerce.org/WVDisasterRecovery.

“HUD tells us where we have to spend the dollars based on the data. We have asked for as much flexibility as possible in the use of these funds and we have been working closely with HUD and our experts to ensure these dollars are spent correctly and effectively. We need all individuals whose homes suffered damage to accept the help that is coming to us. If we spend this money the right way, it will strengthen our chances of receiving more recovery money in the future,” said Secretary Thrasher.

About RISE on the Road forums
The West Virginia Department of Commerce is hosting the RISE on the Road forums to explain the process and provide information on how the federal and state funds received to date will be used to rebuild West Virginia. The forums will also present information on the long-term recovery process, which includes rebuilding damaged housing, restoration of critical infrastructure, and projects to stimulate business activity and job creation and retention. The RISE on the Road forums also gives state leaders a chance to hear directly from impacted communities.

“Participation in these forums is critical to begin the long-term process of rebuilding damaged housing and providing our citizens with relief,” said Adjutant General James Hoyer. “I look forward to being able to speak to our survivors at these sessions and I encourage everyone to attend.”

“We want to provide a place where folks can get information for their specific unmet needs. If a household lost their bridge, we will have resources available to find out how we can replace it,” said Jenny Gannaway, director of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. “Please attend and find out more about the help that is on its way.”