NELSONVILLE, Ohio –Grant applications are now available for projects promoting economic growth in 16 eastern Ohio counties.

Applications are available through the Dale Hileman Legacy Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and may be found online at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Hileman. The Dale Hileman Legacy Fund plans to award up to $2,000 in grants through its second competitive grant round. Individual grant requests should not exceed $1,000 and must be submitted by April 5.

The Dale Hileman Legacy Fund promotes economic development and growth, a cause that was close to Hileman’s heart.

The Dale Hileman Legacy Fund supports organizations working to promote economic growth within the 16 counties served by Eastern Ohio Development Alliance, comprising Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas, and Washington counties.

Hileman passed away in February 2015 after a lifetime of service to eastern Ohio. Hileman was a native of Columbiana County and worked for Columbia Gas of Ohio for 40 years, serving Carrollton, Jackson, and Cambridge in Appalachian Ohio.

After his retirement, he remained committed to improving quality of life and steadfastly promoting his community of Cambridge in Guernsey County, where he shared his final years with his wife, Evelyn.

In its first three years, the fund awarded strategic grants to support economic growth.

The 2020 grant round represented the Dale Hileman Legacy Fund’s first competitive grant awards.

In 2020, grants supported the Southern Perry Incubation Center for Entrepreneurs in Perry Country and Tuscarawas Valley Heritage Inc. The former grant helped SPICE support economic development for small businesses through loan deferments, especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latter helped Tuscarawas Valley Heritage Inc. promote career opportunities in Tuscarawas County through marketing and collaborative efforts including promotional videos, social media campaigns, and web projects.

2021 grant applications are due by April 5 and may be submitted at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Hileman. For any questions, contact FAO at 740-753-1111.