FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, June 22, 2024
|
|
West Virginia Week in Review
|
|
|
Governor, First Lady Justice celebrate West Virginia's 161st Birthday, announce winner of Hot Dog Sauce Contest, unveil Arthur I. Boreman Statue
|
|
|
Gov. Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice participated in several West Virginia Day events, taking them from the State Capitol in Charleston to Independence Hall in Wheeling, commemorating the state's 161st birthday.
|
|
|
"I’m honored to celebrate West Virginia's 161st birthday surrounded by so many great people," Gov. Justice said. "We have so much to be proud of in the Mountain State. The world is catching on to all the greatness West Virginia offers. It truly is the greatest state to live, work, and raise a family. I am beyond proud of what we have accomplished together, and I know the future for West Virginia will be just as bright."
|
|
|
Gov. Justice kicks off summer with new tourism sweepstakes
|
|
|
Entrants can complete summer-travel bucket list for chance to win free autumn getaway
|
|
|
Gov. Justice unveiled the Department of Tourism’s 2024 summer bucket list. The list, which includes iconic West Virginia adventures like waterfalls and nature hikes, provides a guide to summer travel in the Mountain State. Those who complete the bucket list and share photos on their social channels will have a chance to win a free four-night fall getaway.
|
|
Gov. Justice encouraged West Virginians, and all those who love West Virginia, to begin their adventures this week in honor of West Virginia’s birthday.
"As we celebrate West Virginia's 161st birthday, I encourage folks to explore our great state. We are fortunate to be able to call this magnificent place home, and there's no better time to explore it and show the world the beauty of the Mountain State," Gov. Justice said. "Babydog and I are ready to dive into our bucket list adventures, and we'd love for you to join us. We are going to call it Babydog's Bucket List, and we cannot wait to explore the truly amazing things West Virginia has to offer."
|
|
|
Gov. Justice names Chef Paul Smith a Distinguished West Virginian after becoming state's first James Beard Award recipient
|
|
Gov. Justice presented Chef Paul Smith with a Distinguished West Virginian Award after becoming the first state native to win the prestigious James Beard Award for culinary excellence.
Smith claimed the coveted 'Best Chef: Southeast' award as part of the annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago on June 10, 2024. This prestigious competition showcased chefs from five states: Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. He is the first finalist and first winner from West Virginia.
"This is the highest honor a governor can give in West Virginia, and I'm thrilled to name Chef Paul Smith a Distinguished West Virginian," Gov. Justice said. "Chef Paul has reached the top of the culinary world as our state's first James Beard Award-winning chef, and his passion for showcasing our unique flavors has really put West Virginia on the culinary map. Recognitions like this show everyone that we are a true culinary destination, and we couldn't be prouder to call him one of our own. We can't wait to see what he achieves next and how he will continue to inspire others with his dedication and passion for West Virginia's culinary scene.”
|
|
|
Gov. Justice breaks ground on the Madison Farmers Market and Greenhouse
|
|
|
Gov. Justice signs bill allocating $50 million for new agriculture lab at West Virginia State University
|
|
Gov. Justice ceremonially signed Senate Bill 1003, which allocates $50 million to construct a new state-of-the-art agricultural laboratory at West Virginia State University.
The cutting-edge facility will house laboratory space for both West Virginia State University and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. It will provide valuable laboratory and classroom space for WVSU faculty and students and play an important role in creating a new School of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at WVSU.
"Agriculture is a core piece of our state's history," Gov. Justice said. "The immense need for a state-of-the-art agricultural lab is something I discussed during my State of the State Address. I'm glad to see this project finally get across the finish line, and I cannot think of a better home than West Virginia State University. I thank the West Virginia Legislature for agreeing on the importance of this project. We all know this is something that will create a huge impact for the agricultural industry and community in the Mountain State for generations to come."
|
|
|
Gov. Justice announces over $5M in West Virginia Community Corrections Grant awards
|
|
|
Gov. Justice announced that he has awarded $5,532,553.00 in West Virginia Community Corrections Grant program funds to 30 projects statewide.
|
|
These funds will be used to assist local communities in the establishment and continued operation of community corrections programs.
The West Virginia Community Corrections Grant Program is intended to provide a means for communities to develop, establish and maintain community-based corrections programs to provide the judicial system with sentencing alternatives for those offenders who may require less than institutional custody.
These funds are administered by the Justice and Community Services (JCS) Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services (DAS).
|
|
|
|
