Governor Mike DeWine highlighted a $154 million state investment in Appalachian Ohio in front of Chillicothe’s historic Memorial Armory in Yoctangee Park, which itself will be part of $45 million for Ross County, including $35 million for Chillicothe.
The May 1st event was the result of months of planning and budgeting for Ross County Planner Devon Shoemaker. He had told me for a while that he was working hard with agencies in Appalachian Ohio – about 16 counties, 32 towns, and several universities, a “huge mix of partners” – to hash out a reasonable wishlist with price tags.
Shoemaker said it was a great day for the city and county, and that he can’t wait to get started – now that they have their funds, the hard work starts.
Tammy Eallonardo, director of Economic Development for Greater Chillicothe and Ross County, said the state asked communities ‘if you had this money, how would you invest it?’ She said Ross County asked for $52M, but got a decent $45M.
Eallonardo counts tourism as economic development. She says the grant will fund park improvements, village streetscapes, work on the county recreational trail, and more. She also points out that the funds have a two-year deadline to deliver results.
Melody Young, director of the Ross Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau, said this was an exciting announcement that included giving them a new home in the historic Memorial Armory in the center of Yoctangee Park – and again, the grant deadline requires that their doors open by October 2026.
Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney said this was the Governor’s feel-good tour. Feeney said the $35M for Chillicothe is larger than city’s annual general fund. He pointed out that it was part of $500M to the federally designated Appalachian counties of Ohio.
The mayor said the renderings displayed at the event show the old armory transformed into a World Heritage tourism headquarters and visitors center, with a Farmers Market new adjunct building. Along with rebuilding the parking lot and perimeter road at the baseball diamonds to create an amphitheater, this is part of fulfilling a park vision from more than 20 years ago.
Find more in the article on the Scioto Post, including video interviews and more photos.
See also two other stories on the announcement: Governor DeWine Unveils $154 Million Investment and Ross County’s Yoctangee Park will Transform.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
1 of 3 Governor Mike DeWine highlighted a $154 million state investment in Appalachian Ohio in front of Chillicothe's historic Memorial Armory in Yoctangee Park.
2 of 3 Appalachian Community Grant Program funding in Ross County.
3 of 3 A rendering of the expansion of Memorial Armory in Yoctangee Park to be funded by the Appalachian Community Grant Program.