FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2006

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Bruce Johnson today announced that Lawrence County has been awarded $100,000 from the Industrial Site Improvement Fund (ISIF), which provides grants to improve qualified commercial and industrial areas. The funds will be used for the development of the RiverWalk Planned Community Project, a 135-acre planned community development consisting of industrial, commercial, professional and residential land uses along the Ohio River.

"The ISIF is a valuable tool in making it possible for Ohio communities and businesses to create new infrastructure, and to upgrade existing facilities for future job creation," said Johnson, who also serves as state development director. "This funding will enable Lawrence County to further develop the RiverWalk site, which will provide new growth opportunities and bring good jobs to this community in Ohio’s Appalachian region."

Lawrence County will partner with local developers to invest in the RiverWalk Planned Community Project in the construction of roadways, sanitary sewer and water lines, storm drainage and retention areas. Infrastructure improvements will relieve traffic congestion and water drainage issues on the site. Phase I of the project is estimated at $999,000 and ISIF funds will be utilized toward improvements to 30 acres located between State Route 7 and the Ohio River. As a result of the project, Superior Marina is expected to create 40 jobs and invest more than $8 million in the improvement and expansion of its existing industrial operations.

Once complete, the RiverWalk project will represent more than $120 million in public and private investments and the County has implemented a proactive development plan to address business retention, expansion and recruitment. The County has the advantage of a location on the Ohio River and has captured development due to intermodal connections between the local river, rail and highway systems.

The ISIF is a reimbursement grant program that provides up to $500,000 in assistance to eligible Ohio counties for the purpose of improving qualified commercial and industrial areas. The proposed project site must be used primarily for commercial or industrial activities, and funding can be used for commercial and/or industrial land and building acquisition; public and/or private infrastructure improvements; expansion and/or renovation of existing buildings; and environmental remediation.

ISIF applications are evaluated based on the county's distress level, the project's feasibility and implementation plan, local and private financial participation and the economic and community impact of the project.