Upcoming Events

Manchin Mobile Monday

Every Monday, my staff members are available in easily accessed locations across the state to assist with constituent services and to take your thoughts and concerns directly back to me. Below are next week's times and locations for Monday, October 15.

Point Pleasant:

Mason County Public Central Library

508 Viand Street

Time: 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Staff: Kim Good

Clarksburg:

Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library

404 W Pike Street

Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Staff: Michael Garcia

To invite the senator to your event, click here.

From the Hill to the Mountains

Defending the Postal Service Against Privatization

I was proud to co-sponsor a Senate resolution opposing the privatization of the United States Postal Service (USPS). Under the previous consolidation implemented by the USPS under the Post Office Structure Plan (POST) in 2012, 478 post offices around West Virginia had their hours drastically reduced to as little as two hours per day. Given that the POST Plan was undertaken after significant backlash against the previous proposal to close thousands of post offices around the country, it stands to reason that nearly the nearly 500 post offices affected by this plan would be vulnerable to closure if USPS were privatized.

In West Virginia, especially in our rural communities, we understand the importance of our post offices. In many small towns, they are the lifelines of their communities and a way to stay connected. They are more than just places to send and receive mail. I will continue defending rural communities across West Virginia and that includes fighting the privatization of the postal service.

Read the full resolution here.

In Your Community

Application Period Open for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program Grants

for Fiscal Year 2018

On Monday, October 1, FEMA will begin to accept applications for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018). HMA’s two competitive grants programs are Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM). These programs provide funding to states, tribes, territories, and local governments for eligible mitigation activities to strengthen our nation’s ability to reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages.

This Week:

Fairmont Regional Job Fair

Friday, October 12

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Robert Mollohan Research Center, High Technology Foundation

Click here for more.

On the Road

On Friday one of my Regional Coordinators, Mary Jo Guidi, joined the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce in celebrating National Manufacturing Day at Wheeling-Nisshin Steel. I was honored to provide letters of commendation to Wheeling-Nisshin Inc., Eagle Manufacturing, Mountain State Carbon, and Koppers.

Mary Jo Guidi, Regional coordinator for Senator Manchin, is joined by Chamber President Debbie Puskarich, Executive Director Pat Ford of the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, and John White and Jay Mitchell of Eagle Manufacturing.

Key Federal Resources

When West Virginians compete, they win.

Below are a few grants that were recently awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development (USDA-RD). I encourage West Virginia communities to apply for federal funding opportunities and will be happy to provide a letter of support for eligible applications. For further information, please contact my Martinsburg office at 304-264-4626 or click here to email me.

Solar Energy Solutions, LLC, USDA-RD, Rural Energy for America Program ($50,000.00 grant / $100,000.00 loan) This award will be used for the purchase and installation of a 133,894 kW solar array on the Williamstown High School. This project will replace 149,660 kWh (21%) per year and realize $12,224 of saving per year. The purpose of this funding program is to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses in developing renewable energy systems, and in making energy efficiency improvements to their operations.
Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport, USDA-RD, Rural Business Development Grant ($22,500.00) This award will be used to complete an economic impact study for the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport located in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The purpose of the study is to assess the economic value that the airport has on the local and regional economy of the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding area.
Innovative Community Solutions, LLC, USDA-RD, Rural Business Development Grant ($29,796.00) This award will be used to continue an entrepreneurship and business leadership training program in Berkeley County, West Virginia.
Greenbrier County Health Alliance, USDA-RD, Rural Business Development Grant ($50,000.00) This award will be used for the development of the Local Foods Skill Center and Waste Not Produce Market in Lewisburg, WV.
West Virginia National Guard Foundation, USDA-RD, Rural Business Development Grant ($50,000.00) This award will be used to provide education and technical support to rural businesses.
Mineral County Development Authority, USDA-RD, Rural Business Development Grant ($50,000.00) This award will be used to support the purchase of equipment and installation costs associated with the extension of 100Mpbs + broadband service to the Fort Ashby Business Park located in Mineral County, West Virginia.
Canaan Valley Institute, USDA-RD, Rural Business Development Grant ($49,515.00) This award will be used to develop a hydroponics system to train entrepreneurs and farmers in nontraditional growing methods known as hydroponics.
Town of Moorefield, USDA-RD, Community Facilities Grant ($2,100.00) This award will be used to purchase a new 2018 Dodge Charger Police Vehicle with all pertinent and necessary police equipment. The funding includes an $18,700.00 Rural Development Economic Impact Initiative Grant, and an applicant contribution of $11,022.00.

To learn more, call my office Toll Free at (855) 275-5737, email me,or find me on social media:

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