The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

December 14, 2009

Appropriations bill includes millions for state projects

From Staff Reports

Millions are included for West Virginia projects in the final action by the House and Senate on the fiscal 2010 labor, health and human resource, and education appropriations bill, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., announced Monday.

“These projects will help to ensure the health and safety of countless West Virginians,” Byrd said.

“The funding will also provide new educational and job training opportunities for those seeking a brighter future. I am very pleased that we were able to secure these funds for these very worthy West Virginia projects.”

Byrd said the following were among those funded:

Mercer County Health Department, $4 million for the county commission to replace the half-century-old health department building with serious structural flaws, hazardous air quality and dangerous mold levels.

Black lung clinics, $7.2 million, to evaluate and treat miners with respiratory ailments.

United Mine Workers of America Career Centers, $1.45 million, to continue mine rescue team training at facilities in Beckley and Washington, Pa.

Mine safety, $357 million, or $3.6 million above the president’s budget request, and $10 million higher than the fiscal 2009 level.

Erma Byrd Scholarship Program, $1.5 million, intended to focus on increasing the skilled work force for industrial health and safety occupations.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, $42 million, the only merit-based undergraduate student assistance program administered by the Department of Education that highlights quality education and rewards student achievement.

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