WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., announced that more than $2 million in federal funding will be coming to a Head Start program in Buckhannon.

Upshur County Human Resources, in Buckhannon, will receive a total of $2,113,391 for the Head Start program there.

Manchin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a total of $3,678,019 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Head Start program based in Buckhannon and an Early Head Start Program based in Wheeling.

Head Start and Early Head Start support educational growth from birth to age 5 through services that provide early learning and emotional development, health and safety, and family well-being.

“Every child in West Virginia deserves access to a quality education, no matter their background or where they live in our great state,” Manchin said. “I’m pleased HHS is investing more than $3.6 million to support the critical efforts of these two Head Start programs, which will provide children in Upshur County and Ohio County with the skills and foundation they need for a bright future.

“As a long-time supporter of Head Start programs and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for funding to support educational opportunities for all children across the Mountain State.”

Northern Panhandle Head Start, in Wheeling, will receive a total of $1,564,628.

On Tuesday, Manchin announced $595,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for the West Virginia National Guard to establish a small business center in Charleston with a specific emphasis on food production and innovation.

The space will include a test kitchen, recipe design spaces and offices for small business owners. This federal award is a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request Manchin secured on behalf of West Virginia through the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill.

“This funding will support our veterans’ entrepreneurial endeavors, especially in food production, by creating space for a test kitchen, commercial offices and areas for local food brands to showcase their products,” Manchin said. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for funding to support our nation’s veterans as they enter their new lives as small business owners.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee allows members of Congress to submit CDS requests, which provides an opportunity for state and local governments, non-profits, and other public entities to receive targeted funding for projects that bolster their communities and directly support West Virginians. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Manchin works to ensure taxpayer dollars are allocated to priorities that benefit all West Virginians, boost economic growth and support the needs of communities across the Mountain State.