Washington County, OH- The Devola Sewer Project has been awarded $10 million through the state's new Ohio BUILDS water infrastructure initiative. A total of $250 million in grant funding will be invested in water infrastructure projects throughout Ohio.
 
 
Washington County Commision President Kevin Ritter spoke with WMOA News and said, "The commissioners office was informed about 48 hours ago that as a result of our application to House Bill 168, the Devola Sewer Project has been granted an award of $10 million. To receive a $15 million bill as a result of the judge's decision regarding the sewer project...it was tough to take, but through a lot of hard work we have almost raised the entire cost of the original projection. The people of the county have got to be thrilled with this."
 
Devola Sewer Project Awards to date:
 
House Bill 168: $10 million
Army Corps of Engineers: $1 million
H2Ohio: $750,000
 
 
Commissioner Ritter believes another award could be coming in the near future.
 
"We should be awarded $368,000from the Appalachian Regional Commission following the conclusion of necessary paperwork.," he said. "On top of that, the commissioners have committed $2 million in 'American Recovery' funds, which would total $14,118,000 or 94% of the original projected cost."
 
 
Ritter expressed excitement about the award, but he says he and his fellow commissioners are not done.
 
"When the year began, we put our heads together to try to bring money in for this project," he said. "I am happy to see some of the fruits of those labors but we are not going to stop. There is still money left to be paid and we are going to go after every dollar we can."
 
 
Gov. Mike DeWine will travel to the Devola Wednesday to speak about the infrastructure grants. The governor will be joined by Washington County commissioners Kevin Ritter, Charlie Schilling and James Booth. Rep. Don Jones was scheduled for the event, but he is unable to attend for personal reasons. 
 
 
The event will be held at 1 p.m. at the Devola Soccer Complex.