Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik last week announced several economic development projects in Ohio’s Appalachian region that will raise the area’s profile as a travel destination and improve the quality of life for local residents.
As part of the new Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative, $154 million will be infused into communities across 12 counties to revitalize historic downtown districts, create new opportunities for recreation, and amplify the experience for those visiting the region’s cultural sites.
“Our state’s origins are in Appalachia; it’s where our history began. But right now – this is Appalachia’s time to flourish,” said Governor DeWine. “These unprecedented investments in Appalachia will be transformative for those who live here, turning their visions for the future into reality.”
Locally, Serpent Mound and the Village of Peebles will benefit from the announcement. The award will be for $6.4 million and will re-construct the observation tower at Serpent Mound, which will be re-opened for the first time in several years following the completion of the project. Additionally, the village of Peebles will make improvements to sidewalks, safety, and roadways including bump-outs and new crosswalks.
The Adams County Regional Medical Center also received funding for a Brown County expansion project. More details of that can be found inside of this edition.
Funding for the Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative is being awarded through the larger Appalachian Community Grant Program, which is investing $500 million into Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region. The DeWine-Husted Administration spearheaded this unprecedented investment with support from the Ohio General Assembly in 2022.
The Adams County Economic Development Office led by the County Commissioners and Economic Development Director Paul Worley released a statement following the announcement, “Congratulations to the Village of Peebles for receiving $6,426,700 from the Appalachian Community Grant Program. This money will be used for downtown improvements and safety projects. It also includes funding for a new observation tower at Serpent Mound.”
