County receives almost $2.5 million for road, water projects

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) has released project agreements for the most recent annual round of infrastructure funding, including six projects in Perry County funded by grants and loans of nearly $2.5 million.

These local government projects are selected by the state’s 19 district integrating committees based on a variety of factors including health and safety, age and condition, and number of users. In addition, the committees send unfunded projects belonging to communities of 5,000 or less in population to compete in the OPWC Small Government Program.

In total, 564 projects were awarded to communities in all Ohio’s 88 counties for roads ($202.5 million), water supply ($52.8 million), wastewater ($27.7 million), bridges and culverts ($28.3 million), and stormwater ($12.5 million).

In Perry County, according to information provided by the state, funded projects and amounts include:

Road projects

• County, Thorn Township and Somerset co-op paving 2024 — $400,000 — Local Transportation Improvement Program

• County and New Lexington co-op paving 2024 — $690,000 State Capital Improvement Program grant/RLP loan

• County Roads 59, 47, 79, 87 and Crooksville co-op paving 2024 — $685,000 — State Capital Improvement Program grant/Revolving Loan Program loan

Wastewater projects

• Village of Crooksville wastewater pump station replacement — $499,999 — State Capital Improvement Program grant

Stormwater projects

• Village of Junction City West Main Street drainage improvements — $225,000 — State Capital Improvement Program grant/Revolving Loan Program loan

“We are pleased to announce another round of grants and loans awarded to Ohio’s local governments for needed infrastructure,” said Linda Bailiff, the OPWC director, in a news release. “We thank the district committees for their work. This program’s successful partnership between the state and local governments ensures public health and safety and improves the economic welfare of Ohioans.”