Gov. DeWine announces almost $13.8 million for Ohio neighborhoods

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced on November 14 that more than two dozen communities will receive almost $13.8 million in funding. 

Funding from Neighborhood Revitalization and Critical Infrastructure grants will be used to complete critical infrastructure and neighborhood improvement projects that improve Ohioans’ quality of life, according to the press release.

Twenty-six communities will benefit from the grants, as the government will upgrade their water and sewer infrastructure, improve flood and drainage systems, reconstruct roads and sidewalks, and enhance parks. 

“With this funding, we’re strengthening the foundations of our communities,” DeWine said. “These projects will improve water and sewer systems, upgrade local parks and streets, and help ensure every Ohioan — and every family — can live in a safer, stronger neighborhood.”

Tressel also said that “investments made in our infrastructure are investments made in our people.”

“By helping communities replace these aging systems and facilities, we’re improving the daily lives of our hard-working residents and supporting the long-term growth of local economies,” he said.”

Mihalik also said that these investments would “build the kind of resilience that allows our communities to thrive.” 

“By fixing what’s failing and investing in the long-term growth of our neighborhoods today, we’re empowering our local partners to prepare their communities for the opportunities of tomorrow,” she said.

Other Ohio politicians also tried to help redevelop the Buckeye State’s communities. 

State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel, R-New Waterford, encouraged eligible communities across Eastern Ohio to apply for newly available Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) that were designed to support local brownfield redevelopment efforts, the press release said.

The grants will provide direct assistance to communities that may lack the resources or are not able to redevelop their communities by themselves.

“This funding is a valuable opportunity for smaller and rural communities to move forward with long-needed redevelopment projects,” Blasdel said. “I encourage local leaders to consider applying and take advantage of the technical support available through this program.”

These resources are intended to help communities assess, plan and prepare for the revitalization of abandoned, vacant or environmentally impacted properties.

To qualify for the grants, the community should have a population of 15,000 or fewer, is populated in a rural area and be considered a disadvantaged area.

A community that fits all of these criteria will be able to receive up to $20,000. Only three communities will be selected in the state.