Appalachia Grant Monies: Oh, Happy Day!

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To say Governor Mike DeWine’s visit to Southern Ohio Wednesday was a banner day is an understatement.

For much of the region, it was Christmas in May.

DeWine announced a package totaling near $155-million in grant monies being distributed from the Appalachia Communities Grant Program for improvements and economic development in what has long been recognized as impoverished territory. Almost $45-million has been awarded to Ross County, $35-millon to Ohio’s First Capital.

Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney said it was difficult to put into a single word. “Incredible… Transformational… Game changer .. all those combined and then some.”

Over the next couple of years, Yoctangee Park will have noticeable enhancement to what already is considered a gem. Four projects will include renovating the Armory to house the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Visitors’ Center and the Chillicothe Farmer’s Market. Major improvements will be made to the park’s recreational fields, including the construction of an amphitheater, pickleball courts and refurbishment of the baseball field. The road network surrounding the park and downtown will be reconfigured to improve access and add a shared-use bike path. In addition, the Mighty Children’s Museum will be renovated and expanded to add STEM-related programming for older children.

“We’ve been daydreaming for a couple of years really, today we get to celebrate and then tomorrow the hard work begins” added Feeney. “You look back to the (City) Park Master Plan – 20 or 30 years old, to the Comprehensive City Plan … without that, we couldn’t have done this application. When the application came out, we were ready and now seeing the money fulfill the vision… it’s just unbelievable.”

Ross County villages, Bainbridge and Frankfort gained funding. $2.1-million for Main Street streetscape revitalization in Bainbridge and a little over $3-million for similar work in Frankfort. Concord Township will receive $1.9-million for the Ross County Park District to make improvements along the 22-mile stretch of Paint Creek Trail. Experience enhancements for Hopewell Mound Group ($320,542) in Union Township and Hopeton Earthworks ($952,497) in Springfield Township.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FUNDING FOR EACH COMMUNITY   

Mighty Children’s Museum Executive Director, Kelcie Pierce expressed their excitement with being included as a recipient of funds. “We’re thrilled” via text to Litter Media. “The money given will be used to transform and renovate a third floor expansion – an estimated 3,000 square feet. This will allow us to reach more families and children in or community and surrounding areas through STEAM innovative activities and ideas.” Pierce says the planned space will be geared to an added demographic and span to ages 0-13 years.

Former State Representative and Senator, John Carey, now serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia echoes the “game changer” sentiments.

“It’s not that ‘Poor Appalachia’. Now, it’s Appalachia on offense. Moving things forward, respecting the past and looking forward to the future.”

Carey says last year’s worldwide recognition of the Hopewell Earthworks will not only boost tourism locally but will also impact the region’s economy.

“I see this project in Ross County… the UNESCO World Heritage site – as really an economic driver not just for Ross County, but for the whole area.”

Director of the Ohio Department of Development, Lydia Mihalik said her experience as a former Mayor of Findlay, added to the emotions of getting to make such an announcement to these communities.

“As Director Carey and I were going through these projects, evaluating them, we knew we were going to be awarding these“ said Mihalik. “The two of us were like ‘This is unbelievable’ and so I can only imagine how the local people feel on a day like today. A lot of hard work, a lot of thought has gone into this particular plan’s vision.”

“Southern Ohio is on the rise.” Tammy Eallonardo, Economic Development Director for Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development told Litter Media. “This (Appalachia Communities Grant Program) is a different type of grant – focused on things we don’t normally find money for. So, they came to the communities and said ‘Give us your wish list’ and these are those projects.

Earlier in the day, Governor Mike DeWine delivered news of funding for a new University of Rio Grande campus for McArthur in Vinton County. DeWine said the hard work of structuring the grant project is just beginning to roll out. “This has been in the works, really for two years” said DeWine. “When we put these grants together, we didn’t just make up where these monies should go. We went to the local communities and they came up with the ideas.”

And more is on the way. In the coming weeks, DeWine said more monies will be directed for projects in communities along the Ohio River.