As Unemployment Soars W.Va. Receives Federal Aid For Coal Miners, Airports

West Virginia has received two federal grants to help with infrastructure and workforce projects in the state.

More than $2 million was awarded to Workforce West Virginia through the National Dislocated Worker Grant for programs to help out-of-work coal miners.

This grant comes at a time when unemployment claims in West Virginia are 18 times higher than normal. According to a press release, the money will help 192 West Virginia coal workers and employers through dislocated worker training and employment programs.

The state has received more than $15 million total through the grant since 2012 to help offset an increase in coal industry layoffs. 

West Virginia received a separate grant of nearly $10 million from the Federal Aviation Administration. The money is part of the recent CARES act passed by Congress in response to the ongoing pandemic.

The grant will help 23 West Virginia airports that have lost money during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Yeager Charleston Airport will receive over half of the $10 million, with smaller airports in the state receiving between $20,000 and $30,000.