News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that six communities will receive grants totaling more than $1.6 million from the Ohio Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs. The funds will benefit the communities in the areas of economic development; water and sanitation; and in one case, will be used to eliminate a health threat to 500 households.

"I'm pleased that these CDBG funds are enabling the State of Ohio to assist communities in providing a safe living environment for our citizens," said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "Additionally, these funds will enable three Ohio communities to assist in supporting business investments that will create a strong and prosperous economy, while retaining and growing jobs for Ohioans."

The CDBG funds will assist three companies and two communities that plan to make a combined investment of more than $18.9 million in business expansion and community improvement projects. In total, the projects are expected to create 148 jobs and benefit 800 households.

Trumbull County has been awarded a $400,000 Economic Development grant to assist Starr Manufacturing, Inc., located in Vienna, to purchase the assets of Starr Fabricating. Starr Manufacturing will produce custom industrial equipment for the injection molding, mining, material handling, waste management and energy generation industries. The County will loan the CDBG funds to the company in support of this $2.2 million project, which is expected to create 18 jobs.

Vinton County has been awarded an $185,000 Economic Development grant to assist Steelial Welding and Metal Fabrication, Inc., in purchasing a laser cutter. The company provides welding and metal fabrication services for the food processing, steel building, mining and milling industries. The $540,000 project is expected to create 15 jobs in Ohio's Appalachian region.

The City of Athens, located in Athens County, has been awarded a $305,000 Economic Development grant to assist Athens Health Realty, LLC, in constructing the Hickory Creek Continuing Care Community. The 150-bed nursing home and assisted living facility will be located on approximately 53 acres of land and operated by Provider Services, Inc. The City will loan the CDBG funds to the company to assist with the purchase of machinery and equipment. The $10.2 million project will create 115 jobs in Ohio's Appalachian region.

The CDBG Economic Development Program provides funding for economic development projects that create and/or retain permanent, private-sector job opportunities. The grants enable local governments to make public improvements directly related to business development and financial assistance to private entities for economic development projects. Jobs created through this program must primarily benefit low-to-moderate income Ohioans.

The Village of Risingsun, located in Wood County, has been awarded an $81,500 Water and Sanitary Sewer grant to install a sanitary sewer system. The $4.5 million project, mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, includes the installation of 28,000 linear feet of sewer lines, a lift station and the construction of a wastewater treatment facility. The project will benefit 229 households.

The Village of Amesville, located in Athens County, has been awarded a $600,000 Water and Sanitary Sewer grant to improve its sanitary sewage system. The Village will use the funds to install a decentralized wastewater treatment and collection system, including 9,500 linear feet of sewer line. The $1.4 million project will benefit 71 households in Ohio's Appalachian region.

The CDBG Water and Sanitary Sewer Program helps local governments maintain, improve and expand its 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 communities with documented health and safety concerns receive priority for funding.

Meigs County has been awarded a $51,500 Imminent Threat grant to improve the Tupper Plains Sewer District system. The $103,000 project includes improvements to the State Route 681 lift station and the purchase and installation of aeration and emergency power equipment at the lagoons. The project will address a serious health threat to area residents and benefit 500 households in Ohio's Appalachian region.

The CDBG Imminent Threat Fund is designed to alleviate threats to public health and safety that require immediate resolution. Imminent threat grants are not meant to substantially upgrade conditions of an area, but are designed to mitigate an emergency situation with necessary corrections.

The Governor's Office of Appalachia (GOA) represents the interests of citizens, businesses and communities in Ohio's Appalachian region, which includes 29 counties in East Central, Southeast and Southern Ohio. The GOA is a division within the Ohio Department of Development and works on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support local, regional, state and federal initiatives that allow the people and businesses of the region to obtain economic, educational and community prosperity.