Columbus, OH – September 8, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today announced the availability of $300,000 in funding through the newly created Community Facility Initiative within the Ohio Department of Development’s Governor’s Office of Appalachia. The initiative is designed to invest in community facilities and projects in all 29 Ohio Appalachian counties that aim to improve, upgrade, repair, or enhance public buildings only.
“Governor Ted Strickland and I are committed to reinvesting in our regional assets and reinvigorating our communities,” said Lt. Governor Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “This new initiative provides a boost to Ohioans who recognize, like us, the importance of keeping our communities strong and vibrant.”
The program aims to provide funding so that buildings can be safe and ready to use by the community. Priority will be given to facilities and projects located in The Appalachian Regional Commission Designated Distressed Counties, which include Athens, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Pike, and Vinton counties, and communities with fewer than 5,000 residents.
“The Community Facility Initiative program will have a positive and measurable impact in Ohio’s Appalachian communities,” said Governor’s Office of Appalachia Director Fred Deel. “We are pleased to be able to offer this support to our hard-working residents.”
Buildings must be in useable condition when applications are submitted; funds cannot be used for new construction, and all permits, inspections, research, and estimates must be completed before applying for the program. Requests for funding may begin at $15,000 and go up to $30,000 per project, and funding payments are reimbursement only. All activities funded by the initiative must be completed and the project must be completed and ready for use within one year from when the grant agreement is executed. There is a dollar-for-dollar match up to $30,000; a cash match must be in place before applying for Community Facility Initiative funds, and these funds cannot be used to match other funds for construction of a new building.
Eligible project activities include but are not limited to:
- Exterior: (replace/repair of roof, gutters, windows, doors, paint, and brick cleaning/repair)
- Interior: (painting, repairing walls or floors)
- Handicap accessibility (compliant restroom, ramps, eater fountains)
- Replace/upgrade of heating and/or cooling systems
- Upgrade electric wiring, boxes
- Create/equip educational space
To receive more information on how to apply or for a letter of intent to apply, please contact Wanda Hairston, Community Grants Manager, Governor’s Office of Appalachia, at 614-644-9228. Letters of intent to apply will be accepted and reviewed until all funds are depleted, or until Dec. 15, 2008.
The Governor’s Office of Appalachia is a division of the Department of Development and represents the interests of the 29 counties comprising East Central, Southeast, and Southern Ohio. The Office works on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, D.C. to support local, regional, state and federal initiatives that allow the people of Ohio’s Appalachian region to obtain economic, educational, and community prosperity.
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Media contacts: Kelly Schlissberg at 614.466.4133 or Kimber Perfect at 614.466.2609
