West Virginia Week in Review

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, February 10, 2024


** West Virginia Week in Review
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Gov. Justice announces winners of 2024 Almost Heaven Governor’s Art Exhibition
Invites West Virginians to view virtual gallery of winning pieces and other featured artwork from students across the state
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Gov. Justice announced ([link removed]) the winners of the 2024 Almost Heaven Governor’s Art Exhibition, earlier this week.

Designed to showcase student creativity and the arts, this year’s exhibition called for one-of-a-kind postcard designs illustrating star gazing at your favorite West Virginia park or public lands. Selected postcard artwork will be used by the Department of Tourism to personally invite travelers to Almost Heaven.
Click here to view the winners ([link removed])
Awards were given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in three divisions: Elementary School, Middle School, and High School. Winners will receive Blick Art Materials gift cards in the amounts of $100, $50, and $25, respectively.

West Virginians can also view the winning artwork right outside the Governor's Office at the State Capitol.
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Gov. Justice, WV DCR celebrate milestone: 53 new officers graduate, Southern Regional Jail achieves zero staff vacancies
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Gov. Justice and the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WV DCR) announced ([link removed]) a major achievement in staffing West Virginia correctional facilities with the graduation of 53 new officers and staff.

This milestone comes on the heels of successful recruitment efforts and increased pay scales ([link removed]) that have significantly reduced staff vacancies across the state.

In addition to last week’s graduating class, 483 officers and staff graduated from Classes 63 through 77 during calendar year 2023.

The recruiting efforts, including increased pay scales for correctional officers, are paying dividends. Staff vacancies are decreasing in facilities statewide. Most notably, Southern Regional Jail and Correctional Facility in Raleigh County has zero staff vacancies currently, down from a 30% vacancy rate in September 2023. Other facilities with zero vacancies include the Anthony Correctional Center, Charleston Correctional Center, Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center, Lakin Correctional Center, Parkersburg Correctional Center and Tiger Morton Juvenile Center.

"I’m thrilled to see the growing interest in correctional careers in West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “By recognizing the value of these positions and taking action to improve pay and benefits, we're attracting talented individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact. This graduation is a testament to the collective efforts by many, and we all remain committed to supporting our correctional officers as they build brighter futures for themselves and our communities."
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Gov. Justice presents a check for over $15.6m to Fayette County Schools
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Gov. Justice presented a check of $15,625,860 to Fayette County Schools this week. The funds will be used for the new Midland Trail Elementary School, which will be built next to Midland Trail High School.

In December, as the Chairman of the West Virginia School Building Authority, Gov. Justice led a vote to approve an award of $111,687,534 for 19 counties for Fiscal Year 2024. On Monday, the Governor delivered Fayette County its share of funding, which was a part of the $111 million awarded.
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Gov. Justice visits McMechen Elementary to present check for over $9.2m to Marshall County Schools
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Gov. Justice presented a check of $9,213,555 to Marshall County Schools on Thursday. The funds will be used for the construction of the new Benwood-McMechen Elementary School.

In December, as the Chairman of the West Virginia School Building Authority, Gov. Justice led a vote to approve an award of $111,687,534 for 19 counties for Fiscal Year 2024. This week, the Governor delivered Marshall County its share of funding, which was a part of the $111 million awarded.
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Gov. Justice announces 25 grants to art organizations in the Northern Panhandle at Grave Creek Mound
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Gov. Justice joined West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History Curator Randall Reid-Smith to present 25 grants ([link removed]) to artists and organizations in the Ohio Valley at the Grave Creek Mound Archeological Complex in Moundsville totaling $738,969.
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Gov. Justice also recognized March as Music in Our Schools Month ([link removed]) with a proclamation.
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Gov. Justice announces $30 million in AML grant recommendations
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Gov. Justice announced during an award ceremony ([link removed]) the recommendation of 10 Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program projects that will utilize nearly $30 million in federal grant funding for economic development at abandoned mine land sites across the state.
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Gov. Justice held the event at the Grave Creek Mound Historical Complex in Moundsville.

Grant applications were evaluated by a committee of representatives from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Department of Commerce, the West Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Governor’s Office. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) must also give final approval of the projects and amounts awarded.
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Gov. Justice announces nearly $33 million in preliminary approval of internet expansion program awards
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Gov. Justice announced ([link removed]) the preliminary approval of ten awards totaling nearly $33 million through Round 3 of the Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD) program of the West Virginia Broadband Investment Plan.

These awards will improve access to high-speed broadband and reliable service in nine counties throughout the state and represent a significant milestone in West Virginia's continued commitment to ensuring that every West Virginian has access to reliable broadband service.

"These grants represent not just an investment in infrastructure but in the future of our communities and the prosperity of our residents," Gov. Justice said.

Four internet service providers (ISPs) will install approximately 660 miles of new infrastructure, connecting over 5,200 targeted locations that previously lacked access to reliable broadband services.

LEADS funds are being awarded to Armstrong Telecommunications, Inc. for fiber projects in Wayne, Putnam, and Cabell counties; Citynet, LLC for fiber projects in Wetzel, Ohio, and Marshall counties; Comcast Cable Communications, LLC for fiber projects in Mineral County; and to Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone, Inc. for fiber projects in Pendleton and Pocahontas counties.
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Also this week:
West Virginia Department Of Education Seeks Organization Partners To Feed Children This Summer ([link removed])

Gov. Justice Issues Proclamation Celebrating School Counselors ([link removed])

WV 2 widening project near Parkersburg approaches halfway mark to completion ([link removed])

WVDNR Stocks 61 Water During Week of January 29 ([link removed])

DoHS Announces Success of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs ([link removed])
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Jordan Damron
Director of Communications, Assistant Legal Counsel
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C.J. Harvey
Press Secretary
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