Barnesville, Belmont County Awarded $288,000 CDBG Funds
Jefferson, Guernsey, Monroe and Noble Projects Also Funded
Press Release
COLUMBUS — Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced this week 49 communities will receive nearly $11.1 million to improve local infrastructure, enhance public facilities, and support essential services for Ohioans.
Funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocation Program, this 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.
The Barnesville project was developed in partnership with the Belomar Regional Council. The village applied for $130,000 CDBG funding to install new inclusive, ADA-accessible playground equipment at Barnesville Memorial Park.
“The Barnesville project will replace aged, end-of-life play equipment at Memorial Park with a fully inclusive playground designed to serve children of all abilities. The new equipment will include an ADA-accessible swing bay, a central inclusive play structure, a net climber, a musical play feature, and a spinner” according to the original grant submission.
The Village will cover any costs above the grant amount from its Parks and Recreation capital budget.
“This grant brings the Village’s first ADA-accessible playground to Memorial Park, and it will benefit every family in Barnesville. Our goal from the start was a park where every child, regardless of ability, can play alongside their friends and siblings. We’re grateful to Belmont County, the Belomar Regional Council, and the Ohio Department of Development for making this possible,” said Mayor Jake Hershberger.
The remaining Belmont County allocation will fund demolition of dilapidated residential structures throughout the county through the county’s landbank.
- Jefferson County will receive $206,000 to improve streets in the city of Steubenville and village of Mt. Pleasant.
- Guernsey County will receive $214,000 for curbs and to improve streets in the village of Pleasant City and community of Derwent.
- Monroe County will receive $150,000 for fire hydrants in the community of Sardis and to purchase equipment for the Sardis and Graysville volunteer fire departments.
- Noble County will receive $150,000 for parks in the village of Summerfield and adding an accessible restroom in the village of Belle Valley.
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.
Whether it’s a reliable water system, a safe route to school, or a meal delivered to an older neighbor, these investments support the things Ohioans count on every day,” said Director Mihalik. “We’re helping our local champions meet those needs and improve the quality of life for the people who call their communities home.”
Cities and counties considered U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development non-entitlement communities are eligible to apply for funds biennially. Ohio’s 100 eligible communities are divided between even and odd years of funding, with 51 communities receiving a total of nearly $11 million in the last round of allocations.
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.
(Ohio Department of Development press release)
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