Governor DeWine Celebrates Riverfront Revitalization in Meigs, Gallia, and Lawrence Counties
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik visited Meigs, Gallia, and Lawrence counties today as part of a multi-day tour to celebrate community revitalization projects made possible with support from the Appalachian Community Grant Program's Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative.
In Meigs County, Governor DeWine celebrated the grand opening of Pomeroy's Court Street Commons, a new pedestrian plaza outside the Meigs County Courthouse. With support from an $8.3 million Wonderful Waterfronts grant, the former two-lane road near the Ohio River has been transformed into a community gathering space with a park, sitting area, and two-tier fountain. Other improvements include new curbs, sidewalks, lighting, and expanded parking options.
"By reimagining this space, Pomeroy's historic downtown and beautiful riverfront are now an even greater asset to this community," said Governor DeWine. "With the support of this grant, the community has created better opportunities for families to walk along the river, enjoy downtown, and take part in events that bring people together."
Governor and First Lady DeWine join community members in Pomeroy to celebrate the grand opening of their new downtown plaza on October 20, 2026.
Governor DeWine also visited Gallipolis in Gallia County for a ribbon-cutting ceremony unveiling the community's revitalized riverfront. With support from a $9 million Wonderful Waterfronts grant, a new dock along the Ohio River can now accommodate larger boats. Improvements to the community's riverfront park also make the area more welcoming, more accessible, and easier to explore.
"This project has helped create better connectivity between the riverfront and the businesses, shops, and restaurants that make downtown Gallipolis a wonderful place," said Governor DeWine. "With room for larger boats to dock, this will also allow more people to stop and visit this community while traveling along the Ohio River."
Governor DeWine speaks in Gallipolis as the community celebrates the official opening of its new riverfront development on October 20, 2026.
The final stop of the tour took place in Lawrence County in South Point, the southernmost community in Ohio. With $1.2 million in funding from the Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative, a new dock now accommodates larger boats, and new ADA-compliant sidewalks allow better access from the parking lot to the waterfront.
"As the southernmost location in Ohio, South Point is a must-see for those who enjoy visiting geographically significant sites," said Governor DeWine. "With these improvements, we anticipate more people will visit Lawrence County, boosting the local economy."
Governor and First Lady DeWine celebrate revitalization along the Ohio River in South Point on October 20, 2026.
Governor DeWine announced the Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative in 2024, awarding $204 million to help communities expand access to local waterways, revitalize historic riverfront 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.
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