Governor DeWine Announces $10.9 Million for Community Development, Improvement Projects 

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced yesterday that 49 communities in 45 counties will receive $10.9 million in allocations to support community development projects. 

The funding will assist communities in completing a variety of infrastructure improvements and public services aimed at spurring economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents. 

“Every dollar we invest in local infrastructure strengthens the fabric of Ohio’s towns and cities, making them even better places to live, work, and raise families,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. 

“Many places in Ohio are attracting new business and residential investments and it’s essential that our communities upgrade their infrastructure to match this growth,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “It is also true that if you want to attract new economic investment, you need to make sure the infrastructure is in place to make your community attractive. Both of these scenarios exist in Ohio and we are helping communities prepare for new opportunities through these investments.”

Eligible infrastructure improvement projects include street repairs, sidewalk improvements, parks and recreation facilities, water and sewer line replacements, and community centers. Public service projects include funding for programs such as Meals on Wheels, health and wellness, and housing and homelessness assistance.  

“Our goal is to uplift Ohio’s communities, from enhancing public spaces to ensuring safe and accessible infrastructure,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “This funding empowers local leaders to address pressing needs, paving the way for sustained economic development and an improved quality of life for their residents.” 

The allocation are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocation Program. Cities and counties considered U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development non-entitlement communities are eligible to apply for funds biannually. Ohio’s 101 eligible communities are divided between even and odd years of funding, with 49 communities receiving a total of $10,997,450 for 2024. 

Counties receiving funding for projects in our region are Allen, Hancock, Marion, Union and Wyandot.

For a complete list of CDBG Award Recipients and Allocation Amounts, please click here.