WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $648,285 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to West Virginia University (WVU) through their Agriculture and Food Research Initiative program. This program will use tourism indicators to identify, understand, and address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also developing strategies for resiliency in the future.
“Around the world, West Virginia is recognized as wild and wonderful,” Senator Capito said. “The funding announced today will use WVU’s renowned research capabilities to assist communities in developing sustainable rural tourism opportunities with the goal of growing rural economies. Increasing opportunities for tourism is something I’ve been very focused on in Congress, and I’m pleased to see USDA assisting in that effort.”
“Every West Virginian knows that the Mountain State is a wonderful place to visit and live. Investing in rural tourism across West Virginia supports local businesses and create jobs while spurring economic development across the entire state. The USDA’s continued investment in West Virginia will help our communities and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this investment on our growing tourism industry,” Senator Manchin said.
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