COLUMBUS — Adena, Jewett and Scio are among 18 communities that will benefit from the final round of funding awarded through the Appalachian Community Grant Program.

Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik Thursday announced 18 new economic development projects that will significantly improve waterfronts, trails, parks and historic downtown districts in Ohio’s Appalachian region.

More than $51 million will be awarded to 18 communities in 10 counties as part of the $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, which was created by the DeWine-Husted administration and Ohio General Assembly to reinvigorate Appalachian communities and rebuild local economies. The grants announced Thursday represent the final projects to be funded through this program.

“We believe in the people of Appalachia, and we believe in their vision for the future,” DeWine said in a release. “The half billion dollars we’ve invested in Appalachia will create new opportunities that add to the quality of life for those living in this beautiful and historic region and spur economic growth that will be life-changing for many Ohioans.”

Of the grants announced Thursday, eight will focus on enhancing waterfront recreation areas in Conneaut, Coshocton, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Lowellville, Niles, Struthers, Warren and Youngstown. The communities of Adena, Ashtabula, Geneva, Newcomerstown, Niles and Zanesville will receive funding to revive and restore their central downtown districts. Bristol Township, Cambridge, Jewett, Killbuck, and Scio will use funding to improve their network of recreational trails.

“This is just the beginning of more economic opportunities for Appalachia and creates change that allows Ohioans in this region to enjoy the affordable, high-quality life that can only be found in Ohio,” Husted said. “It’s about investing in the innovation and potential of communities so they can grow and succeed in every corner of our state.”

“By revitalizing our riverfronts and downtown areas, we’re creating vibrant hubs of activity, attracting visitors, supporting local businesses, and strengthening community cohesion,” Mihalik added. “Today’s investments are an important piece in the larger picture for success for our Appalachia Ohio.”

The grants announced Thursday are part of the Appalachian Community Grant Program’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative, which focuses primarily on funding projects in Ohio’s riverfront and lakefront communities. DeWine previously announced more than $152 million in grants through this initiative, bringing its total investment to nearly $204 million.

Other initiatives announced as part of the Appalachian Community Grant Program include:

Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative: More than $64 million in funding to create or expand community- and school-based health clinics and launch health care-focused workforce development programs to train the next generation of Appalachian healthcare professionals.

Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative: More than $154 million to raise the area’s profile as a travel destination and improve quality of life for local residents by revitalizing historic downtown districts, creating new opportunities for recreation, and amplifying the experience for those visiting the region’s cultural sites.

Approximately $80 million in funding from the Appalachian Community Grant Program was also awarded to several  shovel-ready projects and planning projects.

The Appalachian Community Grant Program and its initiatives are administered by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia within the Ohio Department of Development. In total, the DeWine-Husted administration has invested approximately $2 billion in Ohio’s Appalachian counties since 2019.