JOHNSON ANNOUNCES $2.9 MILLION FOR IMPROVED WATER AND SANITARY SEWER PROGRAMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that seven Ohio communities will receive grants totaling $2,925,300 to improve their water and sanitary sewer systems. The grants 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.

“We are pleased to assist these Ohio communities as they plan improvements to benefit citizens in their areas,” said Johnson, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Ohio means business, and to that end we are committed to working with communities and companies to ensure the infrastructure is in place to attract and retain good-paying jobs.”

The Village of Fredericksburg, in Wayne County, will receive a $130,600 grant to replace approximately 2,150 linear feet of waterline along North Mill Street. The $310,200 project will assist approximately 169 households.

Fulton County will receive a $537,000 grant to install approximately 21,500 linear feet of sewer lines and one lift station in the Elmira/Burlington area of German Township. The $1.6 million project will assist 65 households.

The Village of McGuffey, in Hardin County, will receive a $314,000 grant to install 130 water meters. The $628,000 project will assist 209 households.

The Village of Mt. Gilead, in Morrow County, will receive a $500,000 grant to construct a wastewater treatment plant. The $7.2 million project will assist 1,380 households.

Muskingum County will receive a $548,700 grant to install approximately 32,305 linear feet of waterline and construct one water storage tank in the Adamsville area. The $1.4 million project will assist 150 households.

The Village of Ripley, in Brown County, will receive a $500,000 grant to construct a wastewater treatment facility. The $4 million project will assist 1,080 households.

Van Wert County will receive a $395,000 grant to install approximately 6,560 linear feet of sewer lines in Washington Township. The $790,000 project will assist 40 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.