September 22, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAFT ANNOUNCES NEARLY $400,000 IN FUNDING FOR TWO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN APPALACHIA

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today announced that Carroll and Holmes counties in Ohio’s Appalachian region will receive nearly $400,000 in grants for roadway and water/sewer infrastructure improvements.

“A strong, reliable infrastructure is paramount to the economic success of Ohio’s Appalachian region,” Taft said. “This funding will allow these communities make the needed investments to strengthen their economic base, create good jobs and sustain the quality of life for their citizens.”

The Carroll County Commissioners will receive a $250,400 grant from state Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funds to assist with costs associated with improvements to the Carroll County Commerce Park. The improvements include construction of an access road to a 110-acre site. The project will also consist of installation of sanitary sewers, water distribution lines and private utilities. This expansion project will benefit two current businesses, which are expanding operations and creating an additional 24 jobs. This project will allow for future expansion into this business park.

Holmes County will receive a $140,000 grant from state ARC funds to assist with costs associated with the Walnut Creek Sanitary Sewer Project, where sewer lines will be extended to businesses currently not served by the Village sewer system. The project will assist businesses in meeting Ohio EPA requirements, and will provide the Village with future economic development opportunities.

T.J. Justice, director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA), presented checks to both communities today, on behalf of Governor Taft. The GOA, a division of the Ohio Department of Development, and the ARC worked with the Ohio Mid Eastern Government Association, the local development district partner, to identify these investment opportunities.

To qualify for this funding, projects had to meet at least one of the following criteria as set out by the ARC: increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation; strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy; develop and improve Appalachia’s infrastructure to make the region economically competitive; and/or build the Appalachian development highway system to reduce Appalachia’s isolation.

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