Buckeye Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 9, 2023, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded three grants totaling $1,656,000 to three organizations in Southeast Ohio to support sewer improvement projects, utilities, and water infrastructure. Funding for this investment was made possible through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Brown helped to write and pass.

“Rural communities have been overlooked for too long. If we want to promote economic development throughout Ohio, we need to ensure that rural businesses and communities have the resources and infrastructure they need to ensure access to clean water,” said Brown. “Investments like these help rural communities in Ohio create jobs and attract businesses to the area. I’ll continue to fight for funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission, so it can continue to empower our communities.”

Organizations receiving funds include:

• $656,000 to the Village of South Point to construct a lift station with an electrical, replacement emergency generator, 1,000 linear feet of 4-inch force main, manholes, and related additions within an existing right-of-way. The project will provide public access to a newly developed medical facility and is expected to create 74 jobs.
• $500,000 to the City of Logan for sanitary sewer improvements to upgrade the city's sanitary sewer collection system, eliminate a public health and safety threat, and address Ohio EPA recommendations for collection system repairs and maintenance. The project is expected to result in improved sanitary sewer service to 215 households.
• $500,000 to the Tuppers Plains-Chester Water District to upgrade essential water infrastructure in Athens and Meigs counties to provide water to residents that do not currently have access to public water and meet the demands of a growing economy. The project will provide public water service to 23 households.

ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian region. ARC's mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia and help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

Original source can be found here.