UPDATED: OHM Advisors to start work on projects in Greenfield and Ohio’s Appalachian region

COLUMBUS – Big change is in store for Ohio’s Appalachian region through the $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, which aims to revitalize, enhance, and rebuild the economies of 32 Appalachian counties. 

OHM Advisors, an award-winning architecture, engineering, and planning firm, is one of the planners that the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) selected to participate in the program and will start work on first-phase projects in Greenfield, Youngstown, Coshocton, Ripley, and Holmes and Muskingum counties. The program draws attention to an historically overlooked region by supporting transformational projects focusing on infrastructure development, physical and behavioral health, and workforce development.  

According to Greenfield City Manager Todd Wilkin, three potential projects for consideration in Greenfield include:

• A parks district that will include Mitchell and Felson parks, the quarry and a connection to Paint Creek Lake;

• A downtown boutique hotel; and,

• A downtown streetscape program with a widening of sidewalks, outdoor eating spaces, lighting and speakers.

According to Wilkin, the village has until October to develop and submit its proposal. "There's no guarantee of funding," Wilkin said, "but at the end of the day, we will have a plan that we can use to propose for future opportunities."

OHM Advisors will also lead planning efforts for health-focused advancement initiatives for Holzer Health System in southeastern Ohio and The Community Action Committee of Pike County.    

The firm will also lead planning efforts for health-focused advancement initiatives for Holzer Health System in southeastern Ohio and The Community Action Committee of Pike County.    

“This was once a thriving area during the industrial revolution, and over time, it has faced a lack of investment and high rates of unemployment, addiction, and mental health issues,” said Aaron Domini, Senior Planner & Partner at OHM Advisors. 

“The region hasn’t had a voice for a very long time. And now, through the grant program, Ohio’s Appalachian communities are seeing economic investment that will bring real, transformable change. We are thrilled to partner in this program and to help advance more Appalachian communities.”   

 The community advancement firm has deep experience serving Ohio Appalachian communities to bring about positive change.

For more information about OHM Advisors and its work in the Appalachian region, visit https://www.ohm-advisors.com.  

ABOUT THE GRANT PROGRAM  

Program funds are provided by Ohio’s designation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. The program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia within ODOD. Projects are intended to bring about transformational change and be a catalyst for future development by providing generational investments in the Appalachian region.  

ODOD, OHM Advisors and other partners will collaborate with national agencies to bring investment and change to 32 Appalachian counties. The first round of planning is underway with the goal of finishing by October 2023, when OHM Advisors and other planners will present plans to city governments and their residents. A second round of planning will take place after public meetings are complete. The grant funding will be eligible until 2026.