Johnson Announces $5 Million Coming to Chillicothe

COLUMBUS –State Representative Mark Johnson (R-Chillicothe) today announced Chillicothe will receive $5 million in state funding for water infrastructure projects. This is the second grant Ross County will receive for local improvements.

“The safety and health of my constituents are two of my top priorities as a legislator, and I’m thankful that Ross County is receiving more funding to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Johnson.

Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) is a new, statewide initiative aimed at improving the quality of life and build a stronger foundation and infrastructure throughout Ohio. 

The grants are funded by the Ohio General Assembly’s passage of House Bill 168, which appropriated funding for water and sewer infrastructure improvements, unemployment insurance trust fund repayments and for local community COVID-19 relief through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Johnson supported the passage of the bill. 

“I’m proud to see legislation that my colleagues and I passed investing in the growth and safety of our local communities,” said Johnson. “This project will benefit nearly 22,000 people in Ross County, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this life-changing work.” 

The $5 million grant will make needed repairs, update wastewater treatment capabilities to prepare for economic growth and address upcoming Ohio EPA regulatory requirements. Major renovations will include replacing most of the mechanical and electrical equipment, changing the biosolids digestion process to aerobic digestion process and adding phosphorus removal. 

The Ohio BUILDS program launched last week with the first round of grants totaling in approximately $250 million in local water infrastructure projects. The second round of grant programs included an additional $44 million in financial support for local projects, and a third round of funding is expected to be announced soon.