June 6, 2024
Using funds from the American Rescue Plan, the Governor’s Office took the lead with an unprecedented $500 million program designed to help Ohio’s Appalachian communities prepare for the influx of funds from the federal and climate infrastructure packages. Ohio’s Appalachian Community Grant program invests in the infrastructure and economic development of Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties while encouraging communities to use these flexible dollars to think big and collaborate to create lasting and transformative change in Appalachian Ohio. One year ago, we highlighted the four awarded development projects of the program’s first round of funding.
This spring, Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine announced three initiatives as the award winners for the second round of funding. Ohio’s Appalachian Community Change Grant awarded $154 million to the Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative, $64 million went to the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative and $152 million were awarded to Ohio Appalachian waterfront projects.
The Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfront Initiative supports 21 new economic development projects in 12 Appalachian Ohio counties. Funding will go to 17 communities along the Ohio River as well as downtown revitalizations in neighboring communities. Many of these projects will help to better connect the communities’ riverfronts to their downtowns and other points of interest; to build or improve river marinas; to develop trails and foster outdoor recreation. Overall the Wonderful Waterfront Initiative aims to enhance the assets Ohio riverfronts have to offer, and to make the communities more attractive for residents and visitors alike. A more detailed list of all awarded grants can be found here.
Along with the latest funding of river communities, each initiative achieved what it set out to do: it incentivized communities to work together, to create projects throughout the region, and to improve the lives of many Ohioans in Appalachia. With the initial $500 million of American Rescue Plan funds having now been allocated, these communities will be well-positioned to use these funds to draw down additional federal climate resources. Ohio’s government would be well advised to further support generational change in Appalachian Ohio with the continuation of the Appalachian Community Change Grant. Other states should consider following suit.