STATE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES THAT MORGAN COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $515,000 GRANT TO IMPROVE ITS WATER SYSTEM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2004

Columbus, OH -- State Development Director Bruce Johnson today announced that Morgan County will receive a $515,000 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 improve the quality of life for citizens in Morgan County,” said Johnson. “The Department of Development is committed to assisting communities so they can maintain, improve and expand their water and sanitary systems.”

The County will use the funds to construct a water tank and install approximately 60,800 linear feet of waterline, a pump station and three pressure reduction valves. The $1.1 million project will benefit approximately 100 households in Homer and Union Townships.

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 continuous 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.