The county saw a 3% increase in the sales tax number in 2024. 

 Auglaize County was successful in get more state funding to help clean up some properties for redevelopment.  Before the holidays the State of Ohio announced $88 million in Brownfield Grants for 123 projects across the state.  Auglaize County won money for three projects including taking down and cleaning up the site of the former Koenig building.  The property was developed in the late 1800’s and has been home to a variety of industries, including a paint shop.   The county got nearly two and half million dollars for doing the work on the site and cleaning any contamination that could be in the soil.

As the Auglaize County Commissioners wrap up 2022, they are looking a head to starting some projects that they have been working on this past year.   Thanks to a $900,000 grant from the State of Ohio, Auglaize County was able to remove some blighted structures so the land can be used for redevelopment.  Plus, they have been getting some things in place to start a renovation project at the county jail.  The roughly $5 million project will add more bed space to the facility, especially on the women’s side of the jail.

Auglaize County has gotten nearly $1 million to help revitalize nine properties by tearing down blighted structures.  The money came from the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program.   Last week, Governor Mike DeWine announced funding to do 2,200 demolition projects statewide.   Auglaize county will be tearing down or have already torn down former homes, businesses, and even the former school in Moulton.  The demolition work will allow the sites to be redeveloped for other uses.  One of the St. Marys projects will allow the city to expand their wastewater treatment plant.  But Auglaize County is hoping that another $3 million could be coming their way through the Brownfield Grant Program. 

Ohio is about to get a $12 billion cut of the recent $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, with our area receiving a large portion. Counties and cities in the state will directly be allocated $6.6 billion to help boost their economies affected by the pandemic. Auglaize County is set to receive nearly $8.9 million of that. They will see half of it soon, and the second half a year from now. County commissioners say they are waiting on guidance from the U.S. Treasury on how to use the financial aid. However, they do know it must all be spent by the end of 2026.

Ahead of the primary election next month, the St. Marys Rotary Club invited Dave Bambauer and Steve Henderson to come to their weekly meeting to discuss different things going on in the county and what they would do if they were elected commissioner. Whoever wins the primary would run uncontested in November, as there is no democratic candidate running. He would take over for Don Regula, who has been an Auglaize County commissioner for over 10 years.

The Auglaize County Commissioners have some projects on their agenda for 2016.