CHILLICOTHE, OH — The Village of Bainbridge in Ross County will receive a $750,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development to make critical upgrades to its aging water system, part of a broader $5.75 million investment across 13 counties aimed at revitalizing communities and improving essential public services.
The funding, announced Thursday, comes through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and will support 14 projects focused on upgrading water and sewer systems, improving accessibility, and restoring downtown spaces. The grants were awarded through two CDBG-supported programs: the Residential Public Infrastructure Grant and the Flexible Grant Program.
In Ross County, the funds will address significant water system issues in Bainbridge, where the infrastructure is more than 100 years old and suffers from high water loss due to aged and damaged lines. The improvements aim to ensure safer, more reliable service for local residents.
“The most impactful investments we can make in our communities are the ones that improve the lives of the people who call them home,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “Whether that’s ensuring families have access to clean water or creating safer, more welcoming, and accessible spaces, we’re strengthening our communities from the ground up.”
The initiative is designed to both enhance public health and create long-term development opportunities by addressing pressing infrastructure needs. Other communities will use their funding for a variety of projects including wastewater extensions, downtown building rehabilitation, and accessibility upgrades.
Key Statewide Grant Highlights:
- Athens County will extend wastewater systems in New Marshfield.
- Trumbull County and Portage County will upgrade outdated sewer lines.
- Champaign, Fulton, Putnam, and Licking Counties will restore historic downtown buildings.
- Cambridge (Guernsey County) will use funds to expand the Great Guernsey Trail into downtown.
- Madison County will enhance safety and access at a preschool for students with disabilities.
These investments reflect a continued commitment by the state to improve the lives of Ohioans, particularly those in low- and moderate-income areas.
The Ohio Department of Development administers these programs as part of its mission to empower communities by investing in people, places, and businesses across the state.
More information on the state’s community development efforts is available at development.ohio.gov.
