Ohio's Appalachian region is getting $154 million from Gov. DeWine; what's it for?

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine announced a $154 million investment into Ohio's Appalachian region meant to make the area a tourism destination and improve residents' quality of life.

On Wednesday, DeWine spoke at events in Chillicothe and McArthur to announce what he called an "unprecedented" investment in the state's Appalachian region. The investment includes 30 major economic development projects across 12 Ohio counties to improve infrastructure at parks, trails, and museums, enhance historical native landmarks, renovate downtown spaces, and more.

"Sometimes it's revitalizing a downtown, sometimes it's making the riverfront more appealing to people and really take that asset of the Ohio River that we can't take for granted," DeWine said. "It's stunningly beautiful, just a beautiful place to be, a beautiful place to see, a beautiful place just to be out and walk on our trails. A lot of this money goes to trails, more opportunities. So, the use of this area as a tourism destination, I think just makes a lot of sense."

DeWine said that money flowing into Ohio's Appalachia has been a long time coming.

"This part of the state is where Ohio really began, [Chillicothe] was the first capital right here," DeWine said. "We've looked at this part of the state and it's been neglected in the past, but I also think it has tremendous potential and we have the opportunity to use that, to develop that potential."

Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, who also spoke at the events, said the region's potential can be used to bring tourists in from across the world.

"We know what a great place, you know, the Appalachian region is in Ohio, and we want more people to find out about it," Mihalik said.

Historical spots undergoing enhancements because of the money awards include the Monroe Theater in Woodsfield, the Black Horse Inn Underground Railroad Museum in Morristown, the Serpent Mound in Adams County, and Ross County's four Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks sites. Logan, Georgetown, Jackson, Chauncey, and more will have their downtown districts revitalized.

The millions of dollars in funding for the Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative are being awarded through the previously-announced Appalachian Community Grant Program, a $500 million investment into Ohio's 32-county Appalachian region. The program was started in 2022.

Previously, grant awards of $64 million to improve access to healthcare across the region and approximately $80 million for several projects and planning grants were announced as part of the larger initiative. According to the Department of Development, nearly $200 million in remaining funding will be announced in the coming weeks.

"The more we can do to let people know what is here, I think is going to bring a lot of money to this region, a lot of tourism, and it's going to really allow people to continue to live here, who want to live here because they'll have jobs," DeWine said.

The list of all 30 projects funded by the newly announced investment can be found below.