Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced grant awards for eight projects totaling $77,800 for the Growing Healthy Communities Grant Program.
“From the establishment of walking trails and community gardens to planning for a local, natural food store, the innovative projects awarded today focus on our communities’ health while encouraging downtown economic development,” Gov. Tomblin said. “I’m thankful for the strong partnership between the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and the West Virginia Development Office for continuing to make this grant program, and the projects it supports, possible.”
The West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) administers the Growing Healthy Communities Program, with funding provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. The program provides competitive grants for West Virginia Main Street and ON TRAC communities for activities that increase community health and wellness while also providing opportunities for downtown revitalization and development.
Projects awarded funding include:
- Beverly ON TRAC: a $3,000 grant to develop a community garden with programs on harvesting and canning vegetables.
- Kingwood Main Street: a $10,000 grant to enhance activities surrounding the farmers’ market and developing a youth garden project.
- Main Street Morgantown: a $14,500 grant to develop a culinary station at the Morgantown Marketplace Farmers’ Market and to promote preparation of local produce at the market.
- Main Street Ronceverte: a $10,000 grant to develop a community garden in what was the city swimming pool location.
- Mannington Main Street: a $13,000 grant to add outdoor exercise equipment to a rail trail connector and develop a walking program.
- Romney ON TRAC: a $14,000 grant to develop the Romney heritage and health walking tour.
- Sutton ON TRAC: an $8,300 grant to develop existing and new walking trails to connect the downtown area with the trail along the river. The grant will also assist in promoting walking programs.
- Wheeling ON TRAC: a $5,000 grant to develop a business plan for a community run year-round local and natural food store in downtown Wheeling.
