Valley Projects Awarded Appalachian Community Grants
WARREN, Ohio – Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Lydia Mihalik, Ohio Department of Development director, on Thursday announced 18 new economic development projects, including several in the Mahoning Valley, were awarded funds through the Appalachian Community Grant Program.
More than $51 million will be awarded to 18 communities in 10 counties as part of the $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, which was created to reinvigorate Appalachian communities and rebuild local economies. The grants announced Thursday represent the final projects to be funded through the program.
Additionally, the governor, accompanied by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Anne Vogel, announced $5 million for the removal of the Main Street Dam in Warren.
Eight of the grants announced Thursday will focus on enhancing waterfront recreation areas in Conneaut, Coshocton, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Lowellville, Niles, Struthers, Warren and Youngstown. The communities of Adena, Ashtabula, Geneva, Newcomerstown, Niles and Zanesville will receive funding to revive and restore their central downtown districts. Bristol Township, Cambridge, Jewett, Killbuck, and Scio will use funding to improve their network of recreational trails.
Here are the Valley projects, locations and award amounts:
- Lowellville Riverfront Park, Lowellville, $936,960.
- Spring Commons Park, Youngstown, $3,891,475.
- Struthers Community River Launch, Struthers, $1,188,264.
- Trumbull Downtown Riverfront Revitalization, Niles, $3,500,288.
- Western Reserve Greenway Trail Renovations, Bristol Township, $372,746.
- Mahoning Avenue Corridor Revitalization Plan, Warren, $4,338,581.
“We believe in the people of Appalachia, and we believe in their vision for the future,” DeWine said. “The half billion dollars we’ve invested in Appalachia will create new opportunities that add to the quality of life for those living in this beautiful and historic region and spur economic growth that will be life-changing for many Ohioans.”
Pictured at top: Gov. Mike DeWine announces Appalachian Community Grant Program awards at the Warren Community Amphitheatre in Warren on Thursday.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
