Columbiana Co. hopes to get stimulus money for new government building

LISBON — There is still American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds available for Columbiana County projects, but the commissioners hope to get even more money through grants.

Penny Traina, the president of the commissioners, said Wednesday that 65 to 70 local officials attended a meeting to start looking for grant opportunities through traditional funding sources with the help of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association.

OMEGA helps governments prepare and submit grant proposals to the Appalachian Regional Commission. Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties are part of Appalachia.

Local leaders can seek ARC funding for projects, but it requires a local share equal to the amount sought in the grant proposal.

One reason for the local meeting was to help people complete lengthy applications for funding long-standing programs.

The commissioners have asked for funding through the stimulus program to pay for a new government building in Lisbon. The estimated total cost is $8 million, which the county can’t afford on its own.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com