State board releases $3.9M in grants

State board releases $3.9M in grants

COLUMBUS

The state Controlling Board released nearly $3.9 million in grants and loans Monday to promote shared services among local government offices.

Recipients include the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services ($100,000 grant); the Mahoning County Educational Service Centers ($100,000 grant); the Ravenna Health Department ($82,000 grant); and the city of Salem ($80,600 grant).

The recipients were among 90 applicants who submitted funding requests through the Local Government Innovation Fund.

Recipients will use the funds to conduct feasibility studies or demonstration projects that focus on local governments sharing technology, facilities, administration and other functions, all with an eye toward cutting costs.

Checks for the projects will be issued in the new year.

School dedicates concert to victims

Youngstown

Harding Elementary School, 1903 Cordova Ave., is dedicating its annual Christmas concert to the victims of superstorm Sandy and the families of last week’s Connecticut school shooting.

The concert, “Home for Christmas,” will be performed at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today. The public is invited.

The program features kindergarten through fourth-graders and the Intermediate V Chorus performing solos and ensembles of traditional Christmas carols and readings.

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