STATE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES THAT COLUMBIANA COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $160,000 GRANT TO IMPROVE ITS WATER SYSTEM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2004

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson today announced that Columbiana County will receive a $160,000 grant to improve its water system. The grant will be awarded through the Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Water and Sanitary Sewer Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Housing and Community Partnerships.

“This grant will greatly improve the water system for a number of households in Columbiana County,” said Johnson. “The Department is committed to helping Ohio communities with water and sewer infrastructure improvements in order to attract and retain households and businesses.”

The County will use the funds to install approximately 4,646 linear feet of waterline. The $320,000 project will benefit approximately 83 households in the Echo Dell Mobile Home Park located in St. Clair Township.

The Water and Sanitary Sewer Program helps local governments maintain, improve and expand their water and sanitary sewer systems. The program's goal is to create a safe and sanitary living environment for Ohio citizens through the provision of safe and reliable drinking water and proper disposal of sanitary waste.

Applications for the program are accepted on a continual basis and are rated against the following criteria: number of persons expected to benefit from the project; ability to leverage funds; program impact; program readiness; and the community's financial capacity and rate structure. Communities with documented health and safety concerns receive priority for funding.