GREAT NEWS came to Belmont County Friday when Gov. Ted Strickland announced that the Eastern Ohio Industrial Park will receive $750,000 for installation of water service.

The 200-plus acre site near Barnesville is being developed as an industrial park. Although development of the site is still in its infancy, plans have been moving along steadily.

This funding is another major boost that will help move things along even further.

Ground was broken at the site less than a year ago, and despite a setback with a slip in the new roadway into the park, plans have been moving ahead.

Friday’s announcement was made in conjunction with other funding awards for industrial sites throughout the state. A total of nearly $29.9 million in grants was awarded for projects across Ohio as part of the Job Ready Site Program.

According to the governor, these funds were allocated for locations that “are ready for business, new jobs and new opportunities for Ohioans.”

Belmont County’s inclusion in this program could have been missed had it not been for the efforts of those behind the development of the Eastern Ohio Industrial Park. Thanks to the hard work of the Belmont County Port Authority, the city of Barnesville, Warren Township, state officials, the Belmont County Commissioners, Oxford Mining and others, progress continues to move forward on this project.

Earlier this year, the county had applied for $1 million through the Ohio Department of Development’s Job Ready Site Program for the water extension to the Eastern Ohio Industrial Park.

Early figures estimate that the installation of water and sewer infrastructure at the new industrial park will cost around $3 million, but the $750,000 grant is still a much-needed earmark.

The site had already received a $750,000 grant from the ODOD for development, in addition to other funding awards.

Once the Eastern Ohio Industrial Park is operational, local officials plan to market the site to companies that are larger, industrial- and manufacturing-based businesses. It is hoped that these businesses bring scores of living-wage jobs to the area.

Friday’s announcement is yet another example of how team work is the name of the game when it comes to economic development.