(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Development today announced three communities will receive a total of $2.25 million in Residential Public Infrastructure Grant funding for improvements to their wastewater treatment facilities. 

The grants, funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), will help these communities improve the quality of life for more than 1,300 Ohioans by providing safe and reliable drinking water and proper disposal of sanitary waste. 

“Access to clean water and reliable infrastructure is not just a basic necessity, it is the heart of any thriving, healthy community,” said Governor DeWine. “Through these investments, we’re not only safeguarding our environment, but also enhancing the quality of life for our residents.” 

“The projects announced today will benefit Ohio families living in these communities, and ultimately makes these regions more attractive for economic growth,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “Infrastructure is the backbone of economic development, leading to increased productivity, job creation, and improved quality of life.” 

Eligible project activities include drinking water and wastewater collection systems, treatment plants, storage systems, and direct connections for new systems to eligible low-to-moderate-income target areas. The grant ceiling for this program is $750,000. 

“With this funding, 1,300 more Ohioans will not have to worry about the quality of water in their communities,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “Whether we’re helping a community of 500 people or 50,000, no project is too small when it comes to ensuring our communities have the resources to keep their residents healthy and set themselves up for a prosperous future.” 

Ohio communities receiving grants are: 

Henry County will receive $750,000 to assist with wastewater plant improvements in the village of Hamler. The village’s wastewater treatment plant is a lagoon system, constructed in the 1970s, and is unable to properly process the current daily flow from the village. This project will construct two new primary lagoons next to the existing one, increasing total system volume and allowing the waste to be properly treated before being discharged. The project will benefit 345 people.  

The Village of Junction City (Perry County) will receive $750,000 to assist with improvements to its wastewater treatment plant. The plant is past its useful life and unable to properly treat the waste it receives. Several components are failing, resulting in untreated waste flowing into Rush Creek. This project will replace key components in the plant, stopping untreated wastewater from contaminating the creek. The project will benefit 835 people. 

The Village of Macksburg (Washington County) will receive $750,000 to assist with the construction of a wastewater treatment plant. The residents in the village are currently served by failing household septic systems that discharge into nearby Duck Creek. This project will construct a collection and treatment system, stopping untreated sewage from being discharged into public waters. The project will benefit 132 people. 

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.