5 communities receive $2.25M to upgrade water infrastructure, improve downtowns
The Ohio Department of Development recently announced a total of $2.25 million in grants to upgrade aging infrastructure, eliminate safety hazards, and promote economic growth in five communities.
The funding comes from the Residential Public Infrastructure Grant and Flexible Grant programs, both of which are supported through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). In total, this funding will improve the quality of life for nearly 15,000 Ohioans and open doors for future development opportunities.
"Our mission is to empower every community in Ohio to succeed to its fullest potential,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “These grants are a crucial part of that effort, enabling our local partners to undertake projects that will drive economic growth and improve the everyday lives of their residents."
The Residential Public Infrastructure Grant program supports projects aimed at improving the quality of life for Ohioans by providing safe and reliable drinking water and proper disposal of sanitary waste. Eligible project activities include drinking water and wastewater collection systems, treatment plants, storage systems, and direct connections for new systems to eligible low-and-moderate-income target areas. The grant ceiling for this program is $750,000.
The Flexible Grant Program provides funding for projects that fall outside the structure of existing CDBG programs, such as downtown building rehabilitation, and provides supplemental resources to resolve immediate and unforeseen needs in communities across the state.
The following communities are receiving grants:
Athens County will receive $750,000 to replace waterlines and improve storage tanks in the Sunday Creek Valley Water District. Project activities will include replacing 11,000 feet of waterline, repainting three tanks, and installing new telemetry at two tanks and one pump station to better track water and complete essential repairs more efficiently. The project will benefit 1,550 people.
The Village of Glouster (Athens County) will receive $250,000 to renovate a vacant downtown building, eliminating community hazards and preparing the site for future business use. The building will undergo exterior improvements to stabilize the structure. The project will benefit 1,655 people.
The Village of Bowerston (Harrison County) will receive $750,000 to assist with improvements to the local water system. Project activities will include replacing an old cast-iron line with higher capacity PVC lines, replacing valves throughout the village, constructing a new above-ground water tank, and replacing aging water meters to better track water utilization. The project will benefit 335 people.
Paulding County will receive $250,000 to assist the of Antwerp with the rehabilitation of three downtown buildings that will eliminate safety hazards and add business space to the community. The buildings will undergo improvements to their structural integrity, including roof, brick, floor and wall replacements. The project will benefit an estimated 2,920 people.
Williams County will receive $250,000 to assist the city of Bryan with the rehabilitation of three vacant downtown buildings that will eliminate safety hazards and add housing and business space to the community. The buildings will undergo façade improvements as well as roof, plumbing and electrical work. The project will benefit an estimated 8,365 people.
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places and businesses. Learn more at development.ohio.gov.
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