Buckeye Reporter

(EAST PALESTINE, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced that the state will award the village of East Palestine $150,000 to help support the purchase of new emergency response equipment.

East Palestine, which was the site of February's Norfolk Southern train derailment, previously secured grant funding from the federal government to partially cover the cost of two eight-ton dump trucks, a one-ton utility bed truck, and a drone. To reduce the amount of local funding necessary to cover the difference, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia is contributing $150,000, representing more than 65 percent of the required local match. 

“This funding is another example of our administration’s continued commitment to the East Palestine community,” said Governor DeWine. “This investment will significantly reduce East Palestine's share of expenses associated with this new equipment."

The existing village trucks are more than 20 years old and have been used to haul materials and supplies to and from the derailment site. The East Palestine Fire Department, which was forced to borrow equipment for overhead views of the derailment, will receive the drone.

“The tragedy of last February’s derailment highlighted the urgent need for enhanced preparedness measures,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “While we hope that nothing like this ever happens in any of our communities again, the residents of East Palestine can have some peace of mind knowing the village is better equipped to assess and respond in emergency situations.” 

Governor DeWine also announced today that the first round of 0% interest, forgivable loans to be awarded as part of the East Palestine Emergency Support Program will be announced as early as next week. The loans will be awarded to businesses to assist with ongoing expenses and recovery efforts associated with the train derailment. Eligible business can still apply through the online application available at development.ohio.gov/EastPalestine.

Original source can be found here.