COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbiana County will receive $250,000 in Flexible Grant Program funds to rehabilitate an old train depot in East Palestine, the Ohio Department of Development announced Friday.
The train depot will be transformed into a resource hub for the East Palestine Community Improvement Corporation, which seeks to create jobs and new development opportunities in the village as it continues to recover from the economic impacts of the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment.
“Over the past two years, the CIC has worked diligently to initiate and develop several projects. We greatly appreciate the community’s patience and support during this time,” said Melissa Smith, founder and owner of the 1820 Candle Co. and a CIC board member. With the announcement of the recent Flexible Grant Program funding for the train depot project, we are excited to take the next step and show visible progress in a positive direction very soon.”
The exterior of the train depot was renovated by Norfolk Southern as part of a settlement agreement with the village. Norfolk Southern donated the structure to the village.
The funding for the project is part of $2.9 million in grants awarded to upgrade community infrastructure, support neighborhood growth and empower economic development in eight Ohio communities. Funding was awarded through Residential Public Infrastructure Grant, Flexible Grant and Economic Development programs, all of which are supported through the federal Community Development Block Grant.
“When our communities have the tools they need to improve infrastructure, strengthen their neighborhoods and support businesses, they’re able to make transformational investments in themselves and their future,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Through these programs, we’re empowering our local partners to tackle the important projects that build stronger economies and make all of Ohio stronger.”