Rep. Sweeney Announces $1.8 Million in Federal Great Lakes Restoration Funds for Bay Village and Other Ohio Communities

“Bay Village is taking full advantage of one of its greatest assets–its access to Lake Erie, and is working to make that connection even stronger for the community,” said Rep. Sweeney. “I’m proud to see Bay Village successfully compete for these federal resources and put them toward projects that will improve our environment and expand opportunities for residents to enjoy our lakefront.”

OLEC will distribute the federal funding through competitive sub-grants to five local partners: the City of Bay Village, the University of Toledo, the City of Sandusky, the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Drink Local Drink Tap. The projects will address priorities identified in the GLRI Action Plan, including aquatic connectivity, stormwater management, habitat restoration, and Great Lakes education. OLEC also received a separate $361,280 federal grant for the implementation of a Great Lakes Areas of Concern restoration project. This grant will support restoration work on Brandywine Creek in the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern.

The funding will give communities across the Lake Erie Basin additional resources to protect and restore the lake while improving residents’ ability to connect with this important natural resource. For Bay Village, the grant represents an opportunity to continue building on its waterfront and investing in lake access and the surrounding environment. By pursuing competitive federal funding, Bay Village is demonstrating how local communities can leverage their proximity to Lake Erie to create lasting benefits for residents and the region.

Other approved items include:

$24M for the Homeless Crisis Response Program and the Supportive Housing Program, which provide emergency shelter operations and support long-term permanent housing.
$101K for continued upgrades to the infirmary at the Northeast Reintegration Center.