President Joe Biden has signed the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law. The official signing of the bill will now mean American households soon will receive direct financial relief of as much as $1,400 for each eligible family member, and $350 billion in federal aid for state, local and tribal governments.
City and county officials in Hinton and Summers County are happy to hear about the funds, but County Commission President Charles Saunders and Hinton City Manager Cris Meadows say it is too early to say how the money will best be used.
Shortly before President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act he said “this historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country and giving people in this nation, working people and middle-class folks, people who built the country, a fighting chance.”
He also said Americans will be learning more about the new relief legislation in the next couple of days.
Sen. Joe Manchin said “the bill is the first time in the history of our country where federal funds have been sent to local governments with such broad flexibility.”
The federal dollars headed directly to county and city governments could be used for any number of things, like money to fix any water or sewer project or improved internet service. Manchin also affirmed that West Virginia will receive at least $4 billion in direct funding and much more through grants and federal funding.
The new American Rescue Plan Act provides financial relief and investment in a wide range of vitally important areas, and Sen. Manchin shared lists of how the funds may be allocated across the state.
On the initial list he shared this week, Summers County would receive $2.44 million and the city of Hinton would receive $980,000.
