CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Commerce is holding two events this week to inform communities about continuing recovery efforts related to the June 2016 flood.
The department is hosting the RISE on the Road forums to provide the public with information about federal and state resources being put toward rebuilding efforts.
The first forum will be Monday at Clendenin Middle School in Kanawha County, and the second Thursday at White Sulphur Springs Civic Center in Greenbrier County. Both events are scheduled to be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and are open to the public.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave a $104 million grant to the state for unmet needs.
Department spokesperson Samantha Smith said those problems include infrastructure and housing repair, as well as stimulating economic activity.
“The forums provide information about how federal and state funds can be used to rebuild West Virginia,” she said.
According to Smith, the state submitted an action plan to detail of how the award will be utilized to address the most vulnerable populations. The plan said 77 percent of the funds will be used to create a housing program in an effort to repair damaged homes.
“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,” said commerce secretary Woody Thrasher in a statement. “If we spend this money the right way, it will strengthen our chances of receiving more recovery money in the future.”
In addition, 80 percent of the total funds will be used in distressed areas in Kanawha, Greenbrier, Clay and Nicholas counties. HUD determined the most distressed regions of these areas.
Smith said current and future flood planning efforts will be led by the State Resiliency Office. The office was part of House Bill 2935, which Gov. Jim Justice signed April 26.
Members of the office will include the Department of Commerce secretary; the Division of Natural Resources director; the Department of Environmental Protection secretary; the executive director of the State Conservation Agency; the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety director; the transportation secretary; the Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard or his or her designee; and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management director.