Johnson announces $20M for Appalachia development
State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) announced the investment of more than $20 million into the 14th Senate District. These funds will boost major projects that will help transform Appalachian communities.
"These investments are key to helping Appalachian Ohio to grow and prosper," Johnson said. "These projects will significantly improve the quality of life in our region by restoring and improving basic infrastructure in two village centers, upgrading significant historic sites and tourist destinations, and dramatically increasing healthcare services."
Projects receiving these dollars:
• Adams County:
Serpent Mound New Observation Tower & Village of Peebles Streetscape-Downtown Improvements
Village of Peebles
Award Amount: $6,426,700
The observation tower at Serpent Mound will be reconstructed and reopened for the first time in several years. Additionally, the village of Peebles will make improvements to sidewalks, safety, and roadways including bump-outs and new crosswalks.
• Brown County:
Village of Georgetown Downtown Courthouse Square Streetscape & U.S. Grant Boyhood Home and Schoolhouse Improvement
Village of Georgetown
Award Amount: $8,693,300
The Village of Georgetown intends to make improvements across several blocks of the village. First, the four streets surrounding the Brown County Courthouse Square will be realigned to create a more vibrant and walkable downtown core for the village. A shared-use path will also be created to connect the fairgrounds, courthouse, and Ulysses S. Grant’s Boyhood Home and Schoolhouse. The National Historic Site will also undergo structural and environmental repairs, in addition to new gathering and recreational spaces for tours and groups. Finally, an existing downtown building will be transformed into the new U.S. Grant Historic Site Visitor's Center, which will feature programming and exhibits.
Mount Orab Healthcare Services Revitalization
Village of Mount Orab
Award Amount: $5,006,180
The Adams County Regional Medical Center will construct a new medical facility near Mt. Orab to serve Brown County. Healthcare services will include primary care, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, radiology imaging services, and a lab draw station. The facility will also allow specialists in partnership with the University of Cincinnati Physicians Group to provide expanded services.
The funding comes from the Appalachian Community Grant Program, which is investing $500 million into Ohio's Appalachian region. The $20,126,180 awarded to Senate District 14 in this release comes from the Downtowns and Destinations Initiative to revitalize and enhance historic downtown districts, education and healthcare services and cultural sites.
Senator Johnson supported funding the Appalachian Community Grant Program in House Bill 377 last General Assembly.
Senator Johnson represents the 14th District in the Ohio Senate, which encompasses all of Adams, Brown, Clermont and Scioto counties. Learn more at www.OhioSenate.gov/Johnson.
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