Press Release written and provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken today announced an investment of $22.4 million in loans and grants to four Ohio recipients that are intended to improve Ohio’s rural electric, water, and solid waste management infrastructure. “Ohio Rural Development is committed to increasing investments in Ohio’s rural communities to ensure that they continue to have access to essential services like clean water and reliable, affordable power,” said McCracken. “These investments today underscore USDA’s commitment to ensuring our rural communities have the resources they need to be competitive, sustain economic growth, and improve the quality of life for their residents.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources unveiled a newly completed wetland project in Allen County. Area residents and partners gathered to tour the Baughman Project, which spans 19 acres in the northern part of the county near the Allen Oakwood Prison. Over the last year, native vegetation was planted, basins were dug, and pipes were put in place to create 3 main wetlands areas. The hope is these additions will drastically reduce flooding, which has been negatively impacting the surrounding roads, neighborhoods, and property values for around 30 years.

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Despite the moderate drought affecting the region, we're told Lima's water supply is in good shape. 

September 19, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced that nearly three dozen communities will receive funding to complete critical infrastructure and neighborhood improvement projects that enhance the quality of life for Ohioans. More than $18.2 million in Neighborhood Revitalization and Critical Infrastructure grants will be awarded to 34 communities for projects such as upgraded water and sewer infrastructure, road and sidewalk replacement, park improvements, recreation enhancements, new fire trucks, and more.

July 11, 2024, Press Release from Casey Heilman, Allen Soil and Water Conservation District Administrator: Taking care of storm drains is not only important to reducing flooding but is also important to the health of the Ottawa River. The Allen Soil and Water Conservation District is urging you to “adopt” the storm drain in front of your home. Make it part of your weekly lawn maintenance to check your storm drain. By taking care of this drain, you can help reduce the amount of debris entering the Ottawa River.

The City of Lima is finishing up phase one and heading into phase two of its lead service line replacement program. Letters are being mailed to water customers that may have lead water service pipes. The EPA requires that those pipes be replaced. The city has received grant money to replace those lines free of charge to the residents. Phase one had 500 hundred letters sent out with 200 lines being replaced. There will be several phases with letters being sent out as the city has around 25,000 water customers. Not all of them have lead pipes and the department is trying to find out who still has them.

The City of Lima is getting state dollars to make improvements to the city's water infrastructure. The money comes from the state's "Ohio BUILDS" program. "BUILDS" stands for broadband, utilities, and infrastructure for local development success. Lima is receiving 1.6 million dollars from a water and wastewater infrastructure grant. It will go towards equipment upgrades and replacements to minimize the chance of sewer overflows and contamination of the local watershed in the event of a power loss. They will renovate 5-river gate structures and install a new generator at each.

June 3, 2024, Press Release from the City of Lima: The City of Lima is one of 76 projects receiving state grants to address critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Ohio communities. In total, 59 counties will receive $122.7 million. The funding is part of the sixth round of the Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program. Funding will provide $84.5 million in support of 43 new critical infrastructure projects and $38.2 million in gap funding for 33 previously funded projects with costs that exceeded initial estimates. Since 2021, the Ohio BUILDS Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program has provided nearly $620 million to support hundreds of local water projects in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.

May 31, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced $122.7 million in grant awards to help improve water infrastructure in 59 counties. The funding is part of the sixth round of the Ohio BUILDS (Broadband, Utilities, and Infrastructure for Local Development Success) Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program. Funding will provide $84.5 million in support of 43 new critical infrastructure projects and $38.2 million in gap funding for 33 previously funded projects with costs that exceeded initial estimates. Since 2021, the Ohio BUILDS Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program has provided a total of nearly $620 million to support hundreds of local water projects in all of Ohio’s 88 counties.