State investing more than $11.7M to support communities, fuel business growth
The Ohio Department of Development Monday announced the release of more than $11.7 million through three state-funded programs that will enhance communities and support business expansion.
Of the investments, more than $9 million has been designated to improve community infrastructure through the Roadwork Development Grant (629) Program.
ROADWORK DEVELOPMENT GRANT
The Roadwork Development Grant (629) Program provides funding to local jurisdictions with an economic development project to assist with eligible public roadwork improvements. It also helps employers in creating or preserving employment opportunities.
The Wood County Port Authority in the city of Rossford (Wood County) will receive $2 million in support of the OPmobility Exterior USA, LLC project. The roadwork will consist of the construction of a roundabout on Glenwood Road at the southeast corner of the OPmobility project site. Additionally, a road will be constructed on the west leg of the roundabout and continue to the west. The project will accommodate an increase in heavy truck traffic to the OPmobility plant and allow for future development of adjacent lots. The project will create 541 jobs.
The Port Authority of Allen County in the city of Lima (Allen County) will receive $2 million in support of the McClain and Breese Road improvement project. The roadwork will consist of the widening and repaving of approximately 2,700 linear feet of McClain Road, beginning at Commerce Parkway and continuing south to Breese Road. It also will include the widening and repaving of approximately 3,600 linear feet of Breese Road beginning at the I-75 ramp and continuing east to McClain Road, improving access to the new Amazon Distribution Center and allowing for the expansion of the existing Wieland Randall facility. The project will create 232 jobs and retain 660 jobs.
Hocking County will receive $1,566,655.50 in support of the Grand Village at Hocking Hills project in the city of Logan (Hocking County). The roadwork will consist of the construction of approximately 6,000 linear feet of roadway through the Grand Village at Hocking Hills located at State Route 664, south of U.S. Route 33. Additionally, an approximately 375 linear feet turn lane will be constructed on southbound State Route 664. The project will accommodate increased tourism traffic resulting from the Grand Village complete. The project will create 426 jobs.
The city of Youngstown (Mahoning County) will receive $1,278,268 in support of the U.S. 62 and North Garland Avenue connector. The roadwork will consist of the construction of approximately 950 linear feet of new roadway, beginning at the intersection of U.S. 62 and Albert Street and continuing northeast to North Garland Avenue. The project will provide large truck access to the site, located along the Crab Creek Industrial Corridor, improving accessibility, traffic flow, and overall safety in the area.
The Georgetown Port Authority in the village of Georgetown (Brown County) is receiving $1 million in support of the Industrial Park Road project. The roadwork will consist of the construction of approximately 2,100 linear feet of roadway, beginning at 59 Hamer Road, continuing to the northwest, and ending at Mount Orab Pike. The project will allow for the development of a 41-acre industrial site at 9158 Mount Orab Pike and improve accessibility and traffic flow, allowing for future industrial development.
The village of Barnesville (Belmont County) is receiving $438,240 in support of the AMfg Labs project. The roadwork will consist of the resurfacing and widening of the intersection at Church Street and North Chestnut Street along with upgraded signalization at the intersection. The roadwork will accommodate increased truck traffic, resulting from the new AMfg Labs facility on North Chestnut Street. The project will create up to 60 jobs.
The Lawrence County Port Authority in the city of Ironton (Lawrence County) is receiving $397,500 for the Lorain Street and Commerce Drive improvement project. The roadwork will consist of the repaving of approximately 3,200 linear feet of Lorain Street, beginning at South 3rd Street and continuing east to South 12th Street. Additionally, the project includes the repaving of approximately 1,700 linear feet of Commerce Drive, beginning at Lorain Street and continuing south to South 3rd Street. The project will accommodate increased truck traffic, resulting from the expansion of the Vertiv facility at 3040 South 9th Street. The project will create 520 jobs.
The village of Killbuck (Holmes County) will receive $339,000 in support of the North Main Business Corridor. The roadwork will consist of the elevation, reconstruction, and repaving of approximately 2,500 linear feet of North Main Street, beginning at South Water Street and continuing to the northeast. The elevation of the new roadway will alleviate frequent flooding in the area, which impedes access to the nearby Sperry & Rice and Crow Works manufacturing facilities. The project will improve accessibility, traffic flow, and overall safety in the area.
The city of Columbiana (Columbiana County) will receive $75,000 in support of the R&L Carriers, Inc. project. The roadwork consists of the relocation of the truck entrance to the R&L Carriers facility at 1320 Heck Road. The new entrance will realign Nulf Drive and will be located 270 feet to the west of the current entrance. The project will accommodate increased traffic resulting from the expansion, and additional work will allow for the repaving of approximately 1,100 linear feet of Nulf Road beginning at the new intersection and continuing north to Columbiana New Castle Road. The project will create 40 new jobs and retain 480 jobs, as well as improve accessibility and traffic flow from the R&L Carriers facility to State Route 14.
For more information about how to apply and to find out if a project is eligible, visit the Roadwork Development Grant (629) program website.
166 DIRECT LOAN SERVICING
The 166 Direct Loan Servicing program aids businesses that have been previously approved for a loan by the state of Ohio’s Controlling Board.
CAG Riverside Flats Acquisitions, LLC will receive $2.5 million to assist in financing the construction of a 322-space public parking garage on an approximately 3.5-acre site on Olentangy River Road in the city of Columbus (Franklin County). The project is part of a $73,448,000 multi-story mixed-use development project that includes 259 market-rate apartments and 83 affordable housing units. CAG Riverside Flats Acquisitions, LLC was formed in 2025 to hold, develop, and operate the project real estate for Continental Development Ventures, a commercial real estate developer with more than 40 years of experience developing and building commercial real estate projects nationwide. The 166 Direct Loan, which represents up to 3.4 percent of the total investment at the project site and has a total cost of $73,448,000, will create five jobs.
REGIONAL 166 DIRECT LOAN
The Regional 166 Direct Loan Program promotes economic development, job creation, and job retention by providing low-interest loans to businesses with limited access to adequate capital from private funding sources.
Antares Station LLC will receive $123,200 to assist in financing the purchase of a 2,500-square-feet condo-suite located at 9039 Antares Ave., Suite 2E in the city of Columbus (Delaware County). Antares Station LLC is a real estate holding company formed to hold the project real estate and lease it to the operating company ArcFluence, LLC, which is a full-service architecture and design firm with a broad scope of projects from high-end residential additions to complex commercial interior fit-outs and retain expansions. The project, which has a total cost of $308,000, will create three jobs and retain two jobs.
For more information on how to apply and to determine if a project is eligible, visit the Regional 166 Direct Loan Program website.
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.