Charleston, WV (AP) -- Leaders from West Virginia government and business have created a new fund aimed at providing grants to cover the cost of rising utility bills.

Gov. Joe Manchin announced the new West Virginia utility assistance program on Monday along with six of the state's largest utility companies and other groups.

Low-income residents will be able to apply for grants to help cover the costs of utility bills. A network of assistance agencies for processing the applications is being set up by the Salvation Army and the Dollar Energy Fund.

Manchin said the program will be especially useful as winter -- and the climbing cost of heating homes -- approaches.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights Reserved.)