New Paris, Verona receiving NatureWorks Grants

COLUMBUS — Two Preble County projects are among more than 100 across Ohio which will receive state NatureWorks project grants, State Representative Rodney Creech announced last week.

“NatureWorks is a voter-approved state and local partnership that has had a really positive impact,” Creech said in a press release.

Ohio voters approved the bond issue in 1993. The State Controlling Board approved the latest round of grants last week.

In Preble County, two projects will receive funding in this latest round of grants.

The villages awarded funding for projects include:

•Verona, which will receive $30,000 to help fund a sand volleyball court, playground features and other work at Verona Community Park.

•New Paris, which will receive $30,608 to support the New Paris Community Park development project.

These two project were among 115 being awarded a combined $5.2 million from the latest round of NatureWorks grant fundin, the press release noted. The program provides up to 75 percent reimbursement assistance for local governments for the acquisition, development and rehabilitation of recreational areas.