During the month of May, 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 that will 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 local residents.
In total, communities in the Buckeye Hills region were awarded $132 million through the various rounds and initiatives of the Appalachian Community Grant Program to redevelop downtowns, capitalize on the region’s river access, and expand school-based healthcare.
The Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative, unveiled on May 1, will inject $154 million into communities across 12 counties to revitalize historic downtown districts, create new opportunities for recreation, and amplify the experience for those visiting the region’s cultural sites.
This includes seven projects in the Buckeye Hills region:
- City of Athens Central Business District Beautification Project City of Athens (Athens County): $6,564,071
- Mount Zion Baptist Church Rehabilitation City of Athens (Athens County): $7,043,674
- Southeast Ohio History Center Building Upgrades & Repairs City of Athens (Athens County): $2,639,453
- Village of Chauncey Main Street (Converse Street) Streetscape Revitalization (Athens County): $1,964,135
- Monroe Theatre Restoration/Renovation (Monroe County): $4,607,200
- Chesterhill Auction Site Improvements (Morgan County): $977,635
- Gateway to the Heart of Hocking Hills: Revitalizing Downtown Logan (Hocking County): $14,328,481
The Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative, announced on May 6 and May 9, will invest $204 million in 37 communities.
This includes eight projects in the Buckeye Hills region:
- Levee Park Improvements, City of Marietta (Washington County): $9,415,911
- Beverly Riverfront Trail and Marina Development, Village of Beverly (Washington County): $1,250,000
- Pomeroy Downtown Riverfront Revitalization, Village of Pomeroy (Meigs County): $8,370,900
- Ohio River and Leading Creek Village Improvements, Village of Middleport (Meigs County): $3,451,000
- Racine Riverfront Redevelopment, Village of Racine (Meigs County): $10,050,439
- Caldwell Downtown Revitalization, Village of Caldwell (Noble County): $4,009,778
- McConnelsville Riverfront Improvements and Streetscape, Village of McConnelsville (Morgan County): $10,376,714
- Sardis Riverfront Amphitheater, Sardis (Monroe County): $4,473,700
“We believe in the people of Appalachia, and we believe in their vision for the future,” said Governor DeWine. “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.”
“The impact of these investments will be felt in our region for generations to come,” said Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Director Chasity Schmelzenbach. “We’re grateful to the DeWine administration, the General Assembly, the Ohio Department of Development, and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia for their support of these transformational investments in Southeast Ohio through the Appalachian Community Grant Program. And we’re grateful to partners like the Ironton-Lawrence Community Action Organization, Ross County, the City of Chillicothe, and the Appalachian Children’s Coalition for their vision and leadership in assembling ambitious applications that were truly regional in scope.”
In addition to May’s announcements, earlier this year the DeWine Administration announced the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, which will invest $64 million in funding to create or expand community- and school-based health clinics and launch healthcare-focused workforce development programs to train the next generation of Appalachian healthcare professionals.
In March 2023, Round 1 announcements included $80 million in funding for several shovel-ready projects and planning projects. This included $1.6 million in technical assistance funding to Buckeye Hills Regional Council, which helped lay the groundwork for Round 2 applications and awards, with 34 building assessments and 77 projects identified with a collective project cost of $381 million.
As a council of governments, Buckeye Hills serves Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington counties. For the past year and a half, Buckeye Hills’ Development Division has worked to ensure communities in its eight-county region dreamed big and rose to the occasion of the $500 million investment for Appalachian Ohio, which was larger than any single opportunity the council has seen in its 56-year history.
“While we celebrate this amazing news, we’re also rolling up our sleeves,” said Buckeye Hills Regional Council Development Director Sam Miller. “Through the technical assistance we provided and the subsequent rounds of awards, we know there are still nearly $240 million in unfunded community needs identified through the ACGP in Southeast Ohio. As we have done for our eight-county region for over 50 years, our staff stands ready and eager to support those who were awarded funds and assist those who weren’t in seeking out alternative funding opportunities.”
In addition to helping communities make good on the historic investments of the ACGP, year after year, Buckeye Hills Regional Council supports some of Appalachian Ohio’s smallest counties, cities, and villages in securing funding for critical infrastructure and community development projects. In 2023, Buckeye Hills helped communities leverage more than $63.8 million in federal, state, and private investment across more than 50 projects. These projects are supported through a variety of state and federal partners, including the Ohio Department of Development, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, the Ohio Public Works Commission, Ohio EPA, ODOT, the Ohio Area Agency on Aging, the Ohio Department of Medicaid, Appalachian Regional Commission, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Project Details
Round 1 Shovel Ready Projects
At Work in Appalachia
Coshocton, Logan, Somerset, and Athens
Award Amount: $17,674,641
The City of Athens will receive a grant to revitalize 80,000 square feet of downtown space with the rehabilitation of six historic buildings. The buildings include the Athens Armory, Coshocton Collaborative, Somerset Builders Club, Logan Theater and Community Arts Center, Hocking Hills Children’s Museum, and Hocking Hills Chamber. The At Work in Appalachia project will also deliver collaborative regional programming through a series of public/private partnerships, including rentable coworking space, business incubation centers, community gathering space for arts, culture, and technology programs, and the creation and expansion of mental health services. The project will expand existing collaborations and incentivize new partnerships that create visible, lasting impact, accelerate downtown revitalization across the four-county region, and attract business and visitors to downtowns.
Turning Over a New Leaf for Appalachia Families Through Wealth, Health, and Technology
Athens, Glouster, Nelsonville, Gallipolis, and Middleport
Award Amount: $25,793,806
The Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program will address social determinants of health challenges by establishing a mental health drop-in center and advocacy trauma center and expanding four New Leaf Recovery Villages. The program will offer shelter and transitional housing services, healthy food support, childcare, and case management. The project will also include the construction of 3D-printed affordable housing, the renovation of downtown buildings and infrastructure to increase walkability, and the establishment of workforce development programs focused on transitional job programs.
Southeast Ohio Nature, Heritage, and Art Sustainable Tourism Anchor Development to Transform the Appalachian Ohio Economy Project
Athens, Buchtel, Nelsonville, Chauncey, Middleport, and Jacksonville
Award Amount: $4,175,136
The Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia will receive a grant that will impact Athens, Buchtel, Nelsonville, Chauncey, Middleport, and Jacksonville by focusing on the development of tourism assets and essential connectivity to workforce development. The project will focus on completing the trails and visitor facilities for the Baileys Trail System and will offer lodging and connectivity with neighboring communities. The project includes essential workforce training for emergency rescue first responders, land managers, and hospitality staff and will include expanded healthcare access in Athens and Meigs counties.
Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative
Athens City Schools, Warren Local Schools, Wellston City Schools, Chillicothe City Schools, Union Scioto Local, Adena Local
Mobile School-Based Eye Care Program Mobile Vision Program-Athens award amount: $334,300
Mobile Vision Program-Ross award amount: $240,700
In partnership with Athens Eye Care, LLC/Hocking Hills Eye Care and Dr. Patricia A. Haller, Athens City, Warren Local, Wellston City, Chillicothe City, Union Scioto Local, Adena Local school districts will establish a mobile school-based eye care program to provide school- based vision care to at-risk students. Providers will travel to school districts and deliver school-based care during the academic year, which will result in over 2,300 eye exams across six school districts. Providers will utilize mobile eye exam equipment to provide comprehensive eye exams and diagnose any vision or ocular health issues. This program will eliminate the barrier of transportation to a local eye care provider and the general lack of eye care providers in the regions being served. There are also plans of recruitment of new providers to the area to create a more robust eye care provider network, expanding access to care for the surrounding community.
FosterHub (Hocking, Ross, and Vinton counties)
Multi-use Facility with Housing, Training, and Wraparound Services
Award amount $7,322,363
In partnership with the Hocking Valley Community Hospital, South Central Ohio Job & Family Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and CK Construction Group, FosterHub will purchase and renovate a commercial property in the heart of historic downtown Logan that will house all operations and offer services, including transitional housing for adolescents transitioning from foster care. The space will also provide job training, life skills training, group therapy, and behavioral health activities. The newly renovated downtown location will be home to a teaching kitchen, laundry services, computer training center, gathering space for behavioral health support services, and more to allow for a holistic approach to ensure youth have the necessary support in place to reach their full potential.
Warren Local Schools (Washington County)
School-Based Health Center
Award amount $1,381,118
In partnership with Hopewell Health Centers, Warren Local Schools will add an on-site schoolbased health clinic, repurposing the gym and locker rooms. The clinic will feature exam rooms for primary care, lab facilities, and offices for behavioral health staff, fostering an integrated care approach. The center will be staffed with a nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, and existing behavioral health staff. Hopewell Health Center will offer on-site comprehensive primary care and behavioral health services to students, staff, families, and the broader community. Closed-loop referral processes will be developed to facilitate referrals for care from district staff, community organizations, and families. Referrals for more substantial needs or specialized care will be arranged, and subsequent follow-ups will conveniently occur within the school environment, ensuring continued access to patients within the district.
Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative
Gateway to the Heart of Hocking Hills: Revitalizing Downtown Logan (three projects)
City of Logan (Hocking County)
Award Amount: $14,328,481
The City of Logan will transform Mulberry Street (State Route 93) into a welcoming corridor for visitors to the city and the Hocking Hills region. The project includes the addition of new signage, archways, improved landscaping, and decorative intersections. Additionally, the city will convert Main Street (between High and Orchard Streets) into a “complete street” by reorganizing surface parking to accommodate wider sidewalks and a shared-use path to improve pedestrian safety. The city intends to add new lighting to both enhance the downtown district’s visual appeal and improve safety. Worthington Park will also be expanded and transformed, doubling in size, to include a bouldering/climbing wall, overhead canopies, and new spaces to hold large community gatherings.
City of Athens Central Business District Beautification Project
City of Athens (Athens County)
Award Amount: $6,564,071
Downtown revitalization and modernization work will include utility burial, new landscaping and streetscaping, pedestrian improvements, and corridor extensions in the northern portion of the central business district. These improvements will complement the renovated Athens Armory, which was awarded in the first round of the Appalachian Community Grant Program.
Mount Zion Baptist Church Rehabilitation
City of Athens (Athens County)
Award Amount: $7,043,674
The Mount Zion Baptist Church is currently in severe disrepair and will undergo rehabilitation to become the Mount Zion Cultural Center, creating a multipurpose community and educational space for Southeast Ohio.
Southeast Ohio History Center Building Upgrades & Repairs
City of Athens (Athens County)
Award Amount: $2,639,453
The renovation of a three-story historic building will create the Southeast Ohio History Center. This will serve as an educational touchpoint for Ohio social studies and language arts students in the region, a museum, and a research library for regional history.
Village of Chauncey Main Street (Converse Street) Streetscape Revitalization
Village of Chauncey (Athens County)
Award Amount: $1,964,135
The Village of Chauncey will 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.
Monroe Theatre Restoration/Renovation
Village of Woodsfield (Monroe County)
Award Amount: $4,607,200
The historic Monroe Theatre will be renovated to promote downtown revitalization in Woodsfield. Improvements will allow the building to better serve students and community members.
Chesterhill Auction Site Improvements
Village of Chesterhill (Morgan County)
Award Amount: $977,635
Renovations at the Chesterhill Auction Site will include upgrades for the livestock sales barn, electrical, bathrooms, commercial kitchen, and an expansion to accommodate more produce. Hundreds of growers utilize the auction to sell their locally grown produce, livestock, and wood products at auction prices to other local businesses, restaurants, schools, and hospitals in rural areas with limited fresh food access. These improvements will further expand access to fresh food in the region.
Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative
Levee Park Improvements
City of Marietta (Washington County)
Award Amount: $9,415,911
The city of Marietta will redevelop Levee Park 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 a fully equipped amphitheater.
Beverly Riverfront Trail and Marina Development
Village of Beverly (Washington County)
Award Amount: $1,250,000
The village of Beverly will install a riverfront multi-use trail and a marina with a boat and kayak launch to increase outdoor recreational activities and provide direct access from the river to the village’s downtown area. The enhancements will allow boaters to dock and explore local businesses and the village’s historic locks.
Pomeroy Downtown Riverfront Revitalization
Village of Pomeroy (Meigs County)
Award Amount: $8,370,900
Riverfront improvements in Pomeroy will support the enhancement of a community-centric downtown area in the village. Revitalization efforts include enhanced streetscape amenities including new sidewalks, lighting, curve bump-outs for pedestrian safety, and a more accessible riverfront for farmers’ markets and community events.
Ohio River and Leading Creek Village Improvements
Village of Middleport (Meigs County)
Award Amount: $3,451,000
The Ohio River corridor in Middleport will be redeveloped to increase resident and visitor access and enhance recreation facilities. A marina with boat and kayak launches will be constructed along with sidewalk access to the marina/boat ramp, restroom facilities, lighting, and benches, enhancements to the historic Diles park, installation of a food truck area, trolley stops, and several recreational facilities at Hartinger park. This project will create a major connection from the riverfront docks to Middleport’s downtown area, which does not currently allow river travelers to easily access village amenities.
Racine Riverfront Redevelopment
Village of Racine (Meigs County)
Award Amount: $10,050,439
The village of Racine will revitalize the riverfront area to 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.
Caldwell Downtown Revitalization
Village of Caldwell (Noble County)
Award Amount: $4,009,778
Caldwell’s downtown square will undergo streetscape, placemaking, and walkability improvements to help improve resident and visitor access to downtown businesses. This project will also revitalize a downtown courtyard next to a historic building into a community gathering and performing arts space.
McConnelsville Riverfront Improvements and Streetscape
Village of McConnelsville (Morgan County)
Award Amount: $10,376,714
The village of McConnelsville will make improvements to enhance pedestrian access and riverfront opportunities through two projects. The projects include the enhancement of streetscapes connecting the square to riverfront areas, pedestrian accessibility and ADA additions, greenspaces, a riverfront park with amenities, an amphitheater, and a playground.
Sardis Riverfront Amphitheater
Sardis (Monroe County)
Award Amount: $4,473,700
The Sardis Riverfront project will intertwine heritage and modern river industry with the construction of a riverfront amphitheater designed to resemble a steamboat paddle wheel. The new amphitheater will offer a scenic space for the community and be used for educational presentations and special events. Additionally, the village will develop scenic trails with rich ecological attractions that maximize recreational use and environmental preservation for the benefit of multiple generations.