Trumbull Co. learns of new aid for water and sewer projects
Trumbull, Mahoning and Ashtabula counties are the only members not close to the Ohio River.
STAFF REPORT
WARREN — Trumbull County has an additional source of funding for water and sewer projects, Trumbull County officials were told by representatives from the Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia.
Fred Deel, director of the office, met with county commissioners and members of the county’s planning commission Wednesday to learn details of the funding provided by the federal Appalachian Regional Commission.
Congress recently added Trumbull, Mahoning and Ashtabula counties to the 29 Ohio counties that were part of the commission. Columbiana County already was part of the ARC.
Deel said his office participates in the distribution of about $900,000 to six counties considered the most economically distressed, and the other ARC counties are eligible to share about $2.6 million this year.
The most-distressed counties are in the southeast part of the state. All the ARC counties are adjacent to or close to the Ohio River except for Hamilton County in southwestern Ohio.
The three newly added counties are the only ones not close to the Ohio River, Deel said.
Trish Nuskievicz, Trumbull County assistant planning director, said Trumbull will be required to provide a 50 percent match for any money granted through the ARC.
That will give the county an additional funding source to help fund water and sewer projects. The county currently qualifies for grant money from sources such as the Ohio Community Development Block Grant program, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Economic Development Administration.