NE Ohio Times

State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) has announced that Ashtabula and Geauga counties will receive an Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) Water Infrastructure Grant.

Ashtabula County is set to receive a $576,640 grant to replace the existing waterline on Bishop Road, west of Old Harpersfield Road, and extend the waterline to Lafevre Road. "Keeping our water infrastructure up-to-date is crucial for the overall well-being of our communities," said Fowler Arthur. "By investing in our infrastructure, we are setting up the opportunities for future growth and opportunities in our communities."

Claridon Township in Geauga County will receive $1.5 million to connect a waterline from the county’s water treatment plant to supply the U.H. Geauga Medical Center’s sterile processing area and boiler. This improvement aims to ensure patient and staff safety by preventing reliance solely on well water, which could lead to unintentional shutdowns of surgery and other services.

During the sixth round of allocations, the Ohio BUILDS Program awarded a total of $122.7 million for infrastructure projects across 59 Ohio counties.

The Ohio BUILDS water infrastructure program continues the H2Ohio initiative launched in 2019. In the State Operating Budget for fiscal years 2024-25, the Ohio House secured $120 million over two years to support statewide water quality efforts through H2Ohio.

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