Jobs & Hope West Virginia Receives ARC Grant to Expand Transportation and Workforce Opportunities
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Jobs & Hope West Virginia has received a $499,500 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to expand transportation assistance and workforce training opportunities for West Virginians facing barriers to employment through the DRIVE project.
Administered by Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative (MSESC), the project has a total estimated cost of $713,786, including a required match of $214,286. The initiative will address transportation challenges that prevent individuals, particularly those in recovery from substance use disorder, from accessing employment, completing workforce training and maintaining long-term employment.
Reliable transportation remains a significant challenge in many of West Virginia’s rural and Appalachian communities, where public transportation options are limited or unavailable. Through DRIVE, Jobs & Hope WV will build on its existing statewide network and partnerships to help participants access transportation resources while expanding opportunities to enter high-demand careers.
“West Virginia has fought a long and difficult battle against substance abuse, and we cannot afford to lose another generation to addiction,” said Gov. Morrisey. “Recovery means giving people the opportunity to rebuild their lives. When we help someone get healthier, develop new skills, and find meaningful employment, we’re strengthening families and giving more West Virginians a chance to build a better future.”
“Transportation can be the difference between someone accepting a job and having to turn that opportunity down,” said Lorrie Smith, Director of Jobs & Hope WV. “DRIVE will help us address those barriers while connecting participants with training and employment opportunities that support long-term stability and economic independence.”
The initiative brings together Jobs & Hope WV, Good News Mountaineer Garage and the West Virginia Military Authority to expand transportation assistance and workforce development services.
Through its partnership with Good News Mountaineer Garage, DRIVE will expand access to donated vehicles and provide assistance for eligible participants who need vehicle repairs to maintain employment or attend training. Jobs & Hope WV will also continue helping participants obtain driver’s licenses and reinstate suspended licenses, building on its existing services to address transportation-related barriers.
DRIVE will also expand access to Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training through the West Virginia Military Authority. Participants will receive training and supportive services designed to prepare them for careers in transportation, construction, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure and other industries that rely on qualified commercial drivers.
Employer support for the project reflects the demand for qualified workers across West Virginia. Labor market information from WorkForce West Virginia identifies heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers and construction equipment operators as high-demand occupations. Employer partners, including Mountaineer Food Bank and the Contractors Association of West Virginia, have expressed support for connecting qualified participants with employment opportunities in commercial driving and construction-related fields.
“Through DRIVE, we have an opportunity to connect West Virginians with the transportation and workforce resources they need to move forward,” said Deb Harris, Manager of Jobs & Hope WV. “By bringing together our partners in transportation, training and employment, we can help participants overcome barriers, pursue meaningful careers and build greater independence for themselves and their families.”
In addition to supporting CDL trainees, DRIVE will strengthen Jobs & Hope WV’s broader workforce development efforts. Through its network of Transition Agents and statewide partnerships, Jobs & Hope WV helps participants overcome barriers to employment, including transportation challenges, limited work history, education and training needs, and other circumstances that can affect workforce participation.
The project is designed to benefit both participants and employers by increasing access to qualified workers, improving participants’ ability to reach and retain employment, and strengthening connections among workforce development organizations, training providers, recovery services and businesses.
Mountain State Educational Services Cooperative will administer the grant and coordinate project implementation with its partners. The initiative will build on existing state-funded services and partnerships to establish sustainable approaches to transportation assistance and workforce development beyond the grant period.
Project Funding
- Appalachian Regional Commission Grant: $499,500
- Required Match: $214,286
- Total Estimated Project Cost: $713,786
Jobs & Hope WV was established in 2019 to help West Virginians overcome barriers to meaningful employment and build better lives. The program connects participants with education, training, employment opportunities and supportive services tailored to their individual needs.
For more information about Jobs & Hope WV and its services, visit https://jobsandhope.wv.gov/.
About Jobs & Hope West Virginia
Jobs & Hope West Virginia is a statewide initiative established in 2019 to help West Virginians overcome barriers to employment and achieve long-term economic stability. Through partnerships with employers, educational institutions, workforce development agencies, corrections, recovery organizations and community providers, Jobs & Hope WV connects participants with education, training, employment opportunities and supportive services that help them enter and remain in the workforce.
