In May 2024, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, and Governor’s Office of Appalachia Director John Carey announced dozens of major economic development projects in Ohio’s Appalachian region through the Appalachian Community Grant Program to expand access to local waterways, revitalize historic riverfront downtowns, raise the area’s profile as a travel destination and improve the quality of life for residents.
“We believe in the people of Appalachia, and we believe in their vision for the future,” said Governor DeWine when the awards were announced. “The half billion dollars we’ve invested in Appalachia will create new opportunities that add to the quality of life for those living in this beautiful and historic region and spur economic growth that will be life-changing for many Ohioans.”
As these projects break ground and take shape, Local Development Districts Buckeye Hills Regional Council and the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission have partnered with Ohio University media professor Andie Walla and students from her Intermediate Video Production and Media Production for the Community courses to profile projects in just a handful of the many communities that received support through the program.
“The Appalachian Community Grant Program is making a lasting difference in our region,” said Chasity Schmelzenbach, Executive Director of Buckeye Hills Regional Council. “We’re excited to partner with Professor Andie Walla and her students to help tell that story, capturing not just the physical transformation of our communities, but the energy, vision, and hope behind it. We’re grateful to Governor DeWine, the General Assembly, the Ohio Department of Development, and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia for their leadership in making these transformative investments possible.”
Follow the links below to view the latest round of ACGP video project profiles, which offer not only a glimpse of the design plans but also go behind the scenes into the process of how community consensus led to project development. You can view the previous round of student videos here.
The ACGP documentary project is an ongoing partnership with Professor Walla, OU students, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia and Ohio’s Local Development Districts as projects break ground, start construction and ultimately welcome the transformation of community spaces to promote recreation, tourism and additional economic development opportunities.
Overview
What does it mean to unleash half a billion dollars of community project funding across Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties? Get state and regional perspectives on this transformational investment from Governor Mike DeWine; Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development; John Carey, Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia; John Hemmings, Project Manager for lead applicant Ross County; and Jessica Keeton, Assistant Development Director for lead applicant Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization.
Village of Chauncey
As part of the Ross County Downtowns and Destinations award, the Village of Chauncey was awarded $1.96 million to revitalize its downtown district, including sidewalks, lighting, street landscaping, and wayfinding signs. The downtown district will be connected to the Baileys Trail system and a new local park.
City of Marietta
As part of the Ironton-Lawrence County Communication Action Organization’s Wonderful Waterfronts grant award. the City of Marietta was awarded $9.4 million to redevelop its Levee Park along the Ohio River to enhance opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the open-air historic destination. Improvements include sidewalk enhancements, a retaining wall, a boat ramp, bike racks, landscaping, a pedestrian boardwalk, signage, gateways, an improved trail connection to a park, and an outdoor amphitheater.
Monroe Theatre, Part 2
Located in Woodsfield, the county seat of Monroe County, Ohio, the Monroe Theatre received $4.6 million in support through the Appalachian Community Grant Program for renovations that will promote downtown activity and revitalization in Woodsfield. Continuing from Part 1 of this project, Mick Schumacher and contractors on the project discuss how the improvements to the historic theatre will allow the building to better serve students and community members.
Racine, Part 2
Located in Meigs County, the Village of Racine received $10 million through the State of Ohio’s Appalachian Community Grant Program to revitalize the riverfront area to better take advantage of outdoor recreational activities. Projects include the creation of walking paths, a community amphitheater, a recreational boat dock, a kayak launch, and expanded access to the river. Picking up where Part 1 left off, longtime Racine Mayor Scott Hill and a local resident share how this project is set to reshape the village’s riverfront, create new recreational opportunities for residents, and attract new visitors to the area.