April 01, 2021

Manchin, Capito Announce ARC INSPIRE Program Award Recipients in West Virginia

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $2,019,652 through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the inaugural recipients of their INSPIRE (INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems) initiative. This initiative focuses on creating or expanding a local recovery ecosystem that will lead to workforce entry or re-entry.

“The ARC continues to be a great partner for the Mountain State, investing in projects that support West Virginians and help our communities grow. I’m pleased the ARC is investing in several West Virginia organizations to support the recovery process for individuals struggling with substance use disorders,” Senator Manchin said. “These organizations help support West Virginians with substance use disorders get back on their feet, enter the workforce and support their recovery process. I will continue to work with the ARC and advocate for funding to help combat the drug epidemic in West Virginia and provide support for West Virginians during their time of need.”

“It is no secret that the opioid crisis has disproportionately impacted Appalachia, especially our communities in West Virginia,” Senator Capito said. “Through my work on the Appropriations Committee, I’ve worked hard to make sure West Virginia receives the support necessary to combat this crisis. In 2019, I worked to pass the Consolidated Domestic and International Assistance Package that supplied ARC with the funds necessary to launch their INSPIRE program. It’s great to see so many West Virginia communities included in the inaugural class of this initiative. I am hopeful that the INSPIRE program will be a success in Appalachia, and that projects like this will be able to set the example for addiction relief efforts in the future. Especially during the challenging and uncertain times like these, we must be there for our communities and our neighbors.”

“I am excited for today's announcement and commend INSPIRE awardees in West Virginia for their role in addressing the economic impacts of Appalachia's substance abuse crisis," ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas said. "These projects will help individuals in recovery obtain sustainable employment, further encouraging economic resiliency in West Virginia communities. I want to thank Senators Manchin and Capito for their continued support of ARC as we work to strengthen recovery ecosystems in the Region.”

Individual awards listed below:

  • Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council (Parkersburg) – $500,000
    • This funding will be used to expand services for high-risk individuals to seek and retain employment.
  • Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless – $500,000
    • This funding will be used to develop a recovery ecosystem leading to employment for people with substance abuse disorder who are homeless.
  • West Virginia University Research Corporation (Morgantown) – $499,176
    • This funding will be used to expand its recovery-to-work program in a seven-county area.
  • Pollen8 (South Charleston) – $494,652
    • This funding will be used for a recovery-to-work program focusing on women.
  • Randolph County Housing Authority – $25,000
    • This funding will be used for a planning grant to strengthen the recovery-to-work ecosystem.