CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Thirty-seven county commissions in West Virginia will receive $398,000 in state grants for records management and preservation projects.

The state Records Management and Preservation Board recommended projects in January to improve management, storage conditions, access and preservation of public records held in county offices.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says the funds will help with residents' access to records while protecting important original records for future generations.

Tomblin also announced Thursday that seven communities are being awarded $59,500 in separate survey and planning grants. The recipients include planning groups in Charleston, Elkins and Mannington, and in the counties of Berkeley, Greenbrier, Hampshire and Jefferson.