U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, on Thursday, announced the allocation of $4.4 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, to be used to update economic development plans and support programs which help communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both Manchin, D-W.Va. and Capito, R-W.Va., are members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Among the agencies receiving funds was the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, which will be awarded with $400,000 to establish a community-based Business Recovery Center and implement strategies to enhance broadband services to improve education, employment, and telemedicine services.

“West Virginia’s local economies have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This CARES Act funding will help our communities recover from this crisis, and I am pleased that the EDA is supporting economic development across West Virginia. I will keep advocating for future relief funding that supports our local governments and spurs economic recovery in the Mountain State because the fight against this pandemic is far from over,” said Manchin.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had terrible effects on our nation’s economy, and those pains have been felt all across West Virginia. Throughout this time, I have listened to the people of the state, from small business owners to medical professionals, and heard their concerns directly. Although we are all currently facing the same crisis, the solutions needed in the different regions of our state are quite diverse. This funding from the EDA will be given directly to our local development districts, who will observe the different factors that contribute to the economic landscape in their respected regions and identify the resources they need. Giving support directly to our communities will help strengthen our state on an individual basis during this difficult time. I am hopeful these investments from the EDA will provide the support our state need to be successful, and will continue to supply the resources we need back home as we continue to battle COVID-19,” said Capito.

Other organizations receiving funding from the allocation include the Region I Planning and Development Council in Princeton; the Region II Planning and Development Council in Huntington; the Regional Intergovernmental Council in South Charleston; the Region IV Planning and Development Council in Summersville; the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Planning and Development Council in Parkersburg; the Region VI Planning and Development Council in Fairmont; the Region VII Planning and Development Council in Buckhannon; the Region VIII Planning and Development Council in Petersburg; the Eastern Panhandle Regional Planning and Development Council in Martinsburg; and the Belomar Regional Council in Wheeling.

Each agency is set to receive $400,000.