LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES THAT THE VILLAGE OF BELMONT TO RECEIVE $599,000 GRANT TO IMPROVE ITS SEWER SYSTEM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2005

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that the Village of Belmont, in Belmont County, will receive a $599,000 grant to improve its sewer 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 (ODOD’s) Office of Housing and Community Partnerships.

“The State’s assistance will help the Village of Belmont make the needed improvements to its sewer system,” said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the ODOD. “Promoting safe and sanitary conditions throughout Ohio’s communities helps protect families and provide the infrastructure necessary for economic growth.”

The Village will use the funds to install approximately 38,000 linear feet of sewer lines and connect to Belmont County's sanitary sewer system. The $3 million project will assist approximately 257 households.

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.