Press Room >> 2010 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 1, 2010 

PATT-MCDANIEL ANNOUNCES $927,300 IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

COLUMBUS - Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced that $927,300 in community development grants have been awarded to the City of Athens and Wood County through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Program, which is administered by the Office of Housing and Community Partnerships.

"Facility construction and infrastructure improvements play key roles in our community’s economic growth," Patt-McDaniel said. "The CDBG Economic Development Program grants will allow the City of Athens and Wood County to build and maintain successful partnerships with local businesses."

The City of Athens has been awarded a $500,000 CDBG Economic Development Program grant to support Athens Health Realty, LLC in constructing a 79,726-square-foot assisted living facility. The facility will provide skilled nursing for 100 residents and will house an additional 12 residents. The $10.9 million project is expected to create 115 jobs, 59 of which will be for low- and moderate-income individuals.

Wood County has been awarded a $427,300 CDBG Economic Development Program grant to assist American Cold Forge, LLC, a manufacturing startup in Northwood, Ohio. American Cold Forge will manufacture cold formed steel parts for automotive and industrial customers. The project will include the purchase of an 11,850-square-foot building, and machinery and equipment necessary for the manufacturing process and to make site improvements. The more than $2 million project is expected to create 22 full-time jobs, 17 of which will be available for low- and moderate-income individuals.

The Community Development Block Grant 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 provide financial assistance to private entities for economic development projects. Jobs created through this program must benefit primarily low- and moderate-income Ohioans.

 Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the nonprofit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future. 

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