Development awards $1.4 million to upgrade infrastructure
The Ohio Department of Development today announced $1.4 million in grants to upgrade water infrastructure and support neighborhood growth in six communities across the state.
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). This funding will improve the quality of life for thousands of Ohioans and open doors for future development opportunities.
“Reliable infrastructure and well-maintained community spaces are critical to the long-term growth of our state” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “By helping our local partners upgrade water systems, improve public facilities, and enhance neighborhood amenities, these investments support the potential for economic opportunity while making Ohio an even better place to call home.”
The Residential Public Infrastructure Grant program helps provide safe drinking water and wastewater systems for communities by funding construction and repairs in income-qualified areas, as well as household connections for income-qualified families. Eligible applicants are counties, cities, and villages with the capacity to operate their own system. The grant ceiling for this program is $750,000.
The Flexible Grant Program is a funding opportunity for projects that meet CDBG guidelines to create economic development opportunities, revitalize downtowns, or provide other public benefits. Eligibility is based on meeting a CDBG national objective and documenting a need or funding gap required to complete the project.
The following communities are receiving grants:
The City of Ashtabula (Ashtabula County) will receive $295,000 to stabilize and rehabilitate the historic downtown Rennick Meat Market through critical structural improvements and code rehabilitation.
The Village of Glouster (Athens County) will receive $185,050 to preserve and rehabilitate a historic community center, the Glouster Depot, through structural repairs and improvements.
Auglaize County will receive $49,800 to replace the aging HVAC system at the county senior center in the city of Saint Marys to improve building functionality and reliability for elderly residents.
The Village of Roseville (Muskingum and Perry Counties) will receive $600,000 to replace two failing water storage tanks with two new tanks. The existing concrete tanks are 90 years old, cracked, and insufficient to serve the village any longer.
Pike County will receive $250,000 to replace a failing elevator and restore accessibility at the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library in the village of Waverly.
Putnam County will receive $40,000 to assist with park improvements in the village of Dupont aimed at enhancing community recreational space along the Auglaize River.
Those with questions about a specific project should contact the entity receiving the grant.
The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.