Columbiana County gets stimulus funds

By D.a. Wilkinson

Funds for the county totaled more than $9.2 million.

SALEM — Stimulus dollars have rained down on Columbiana County.

State Rep. Linda Bolon of Columbiana, D-1st, announced funding for several projects Thursday, and the Ohio Department of Transportation added more money for good measure.

“I’m very pleased to be able to announce this stimulus package,” she said.

Penny Traina, the president of the county commissioners, said she was thankful the county had received the money.

The projects are:

USome $2 million for the Glenmoor Sewer Project in southern Columbiana County. The money will be used to provide a sewer system to about 440 homes and 14 businesses. County Engineer Bert Dawson pushed for the project since area septic tanks are old and failing and are polluting local waters with high levels of fecal coliform in the drainage.

Bolon said, “This is extremely good news. These projects are crucial for the health and well-being of people in this area, and the work will bring much-needed jobs at a time when our economy needs the boost.”

UThe Buckeye Water District will receive $3.4 million to run a waterline to the village of Salineville. The village’s water treatment plant is in bad shape. Bolon said she was most concerned for the waterline funding since residents need the service. She said that she had told Gov. Ted Strickland that rural areas may need more help than the state’s larger cities.

•Lisbon will receive $2.4 million for sewer-line projects on East Lincoln Way, North Market Street and Lincoln Avenue. The lines are old and need to be replaced.

UEast Palestine will receive $80,500 for new equipment that will reduce phosphorous in its sewage-treatment plant and help improve the water system.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will have hearings May 7 in Columbus to make sure the projects are ready to go. The U.S. EPA also must approve the state plans before formally awarding the money. If approved, work would begin soon.

ODOT also announced it would pave five miles of state Route 39 in Carroll County and eight miles of the route in Columbiana County at a cost of $1.4 million.

The money will help improve road conditions to the Columbiana County Port Authority’s intermodal facility on the Ohio River, which provides transfers of cargo between trucks, barges and train.

The facility would help move materials for the Baard Energy plant that would turn Ohio coal into liquid fuel. Permits for the project are completed, and Baard is seeking funding for the project.

wilkinson@vindy.com