Governor DeWine Celebrates Completion of Appalachian Community Grant Program Projects in Ashtabula and Sardis
(ASHTABULA & SARDIS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik visited Ashtabula and Sardis today as part of a multi-day tour to celebrate the completion of community revitalization projects supported with funding from the Appalachian Community Grant Program's Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative.
In Ashtabula, Governor DeWine celebrated the completion of the community's downtown revitalization project. With support from a $1.9 million Wonderful Waterfronts grant, downtown Ashtabula has new sidewalks and streetlights, updated wayfinding signage, and 22 new building facades.
Governor and First Lady DeWine join community members in Ashtabula to celebrate the completion of its downtown revitalization project on October 19, 2026.
Governor DeWine announced the Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative in 2024, awarding $204 million to help communities expand access to local waterways, revitalize historic waterfront downtowns, and create new tourism and recreational opportunities. The initiative is one of three programs funded as part of the $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, which was created in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly.
“When we launched this grant program, we wanted to make investments that would benefit Ohio's Appalachian communities for decades, and that's exactly what this project will do for Ashtabula," said Governor DeWine. "This revitalization has truly created a more inviting and engaging downtown environment, which will have a direct impact on the local economy.”
Governor and First Lady DeWine celebrate the opening of the new Appalachian Ecotone Riverfront Amphitheater in Sardis on October 19, 2026.
While visiting Sardis in Monroe County, Governor DeWine celebrated the grand opening of the new Appalachian Ecotone Riverfront Amphitheater. Supported by a $4.4 million Wonderful Waterfronts grant, Monroe County purchased the former Fairways Riverside Golf Course to build a new amphitheater and walking trails for recreation. Funding also supported renovations to turn the old golf clubhouse into a visitor’s center.
“For generations, the Ohio River has been part of everyday life in towns like Sardis, shaping the history and character of this entire region,” said Governor DeWine. "Monroe County's new Riverfront Amphitheater will become a destination for families and visitors who want to enjoy the outdoors along this beautiful stretch of the Ohio River.”
Governor DeWine also took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for Monroe County's new Inland Waterways Maritime Academy, located adjacent to the new visitor’s center. An Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is supporting the design and construction of the Maritime Academy’s future Deckhand Training Center.
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