EAST PALESTINE — The village is getting more financial help for the waterline replacement project after being selected to receive federal funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Village Manager Mark McTrustry announced during the recent village council meeting that the village will receive $250,000 in ARC funding for the nearly $6 million project.
McTrustry also said the village has qualified for nearly $1 million in loan forgiveness through the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for its Water Supply Revolving Loan.
In addition, the village has also qualified for a lead line replacement loan for the project that will replace approximately 20 linear feet of waterline.
Replacement is needed because the existing lines are outdated and leaking in addition to posing health hazards since some of the lines contain lead.
McTrustry said that any lead lines uncovered during the project will be replaced and the cost reimbursed through the program and that any galvanized service lines uncovered downstream from a lead service line will be replaced and reimbursed as well.
The project is designed to improve water for 1,892 households and 155 businesses in East Palestine.
The village was notified last week that it would receive $250,000 in ARC funding. Democratic state Senator Sherrod Brown said in a press release that the funding was made possible through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which he helped write and pass.
“I’m working to make sure Ohio gets its fair share — or more–of infrastructure investment. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these funds will have a significant economic impact for the village of East Palestine,” Brown said.