Photo Provided This former clubhouse will be used for the Inland Waterways Maritime complex, which will feature a pilot simulator unit for training river pilots. Monroe County purchases Riverside Golf Course

SARDIS — Monroe County purchased the 169-acre Riverside Golf Course for $1.8 million on June 28.

According to Monroe County Commissioner Mitchell Schumacher, “$1.8 million was advanced to the seller by the county through a bond which will be repaid after the grant money becomes available and drawn down.”

The county was awarded funding through the Appalachian Community Grants Program. An additional $400,000 was borrowed by the commissioners to fund economic development opportunities.

Another award from the Appalachian Community Grants Program is $4.6 million received by the historic Monroe Theater in Woodsfield. The grant will go toward renovating the theater to be able to continue to entertain the residents of Monroe County.

Schumacher said that Monroe County received about $9 million in total — $4.3 million will be going to the Riverside Golf Course project and $4.6 million will be going to renovating the historic Monroe Theater.

All work on both projects must be completed by October 2026 to meet the guidelines of the Appalachian Community Grant Program.

Acreage that is along the Ohio River and in the floodplain is currently being identified by the Monroe County Park District to potentially purchase through a Clean Ohio grant, which requires a 25% match. The Ohio Department of Transportation may be able to cover that cost for the county.

“ODOT can cover the one-time 25% match if the purchase is along a scenic byway,” Schumacher said. “Route 7 is all on the Ohio River scenic byway.”

Applications for the Clean Ohio grant are due by September.

“The Clean Ohio area can have trails and parking but no buildings or development. It is to be considered in conservation, it has to be natural vegetation,” he added. “There are plans for walking trails and an amphitheater alongside the river as well as other outdoor projects.”

According to Schumacher, once the Clean Ohio grant is finalized, the funds will be reimbursed to Monroe County and the bonds used will be retired.

“Monroe County was able to leverage funding to purchase the 169 acres of Riverside Golf Course with no expense to the county,” he said.

A large portion of the work being done on the 169 acres is by local volunteers and community leaders. Schumacher thanked everybody involved for stepping up and helping get the property ready for future development.