Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge announced an additional 500,000 acres of cropland are now enrolled into H2Ohio, bringing the total enrollment to 2.2 million acres statewide.

“Since the very beginning of H2Ohio, farmers have shown that they are dedicated to our mission and that they want to be part of the solution for better water quality," said Governor DeWine. "H2Ohio has been firmly established in northwest Ohio, and so it was important to expand on this progress and offer the program to farmers in the rest of the state."

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new $100 million Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center in Columbus.

The new facility will have the ability to process up to 250,000 tons of recycling materials per year from more than 50 Ohio counties. This $100 million facility also boasts an education center with interactive exhibits; career and development spaces; offices; and a research center. 

Governor DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin announced the award of $332,960 in Grow Ohio Grants to support local programs providing agricultural education opportunities for children in 14 communities across the state.

“The programs supported by our Grow Ohio Grants will enrich the lives of children across Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “My wife, Fran, is passionate about teaching young people where their food comes from and how it gets to their plates, and these programs do just that – offering first-hand experience at the rewarding process of growing, harvesting, and preparing fresh food. In many cases, food from these programs is even brought onto the school lunch menu for all students to enjoy.”

Grant recipients will offer activities for children that support farm-to-school projects such as outdoor or indoor school gardening, hydroponics, collaboration with local food producers, and food literacy activities. Many of the awardees plan to incorporate food produced through their programs into school meals.

Additionally, the Grow Ohio Grants aim to create opportunities for students to gain knowledge of potential careers in agriculture and to increase relationships between Ohio food producers and child nutrition program sponsors.

“For some students, these programs will inspire them to take an interest in the agriculture industry and become part of the next generation of Ohioans who will feed our communities,” Governor DeWine added. “But all who take part will certainly become more connected to our state’s rich agricultural heritage, while learning valuable life skills they can carry with them forever.”

Lt. Governor Husted provided remarks at the groundbreaking for the installation of the new Continuous Bloom Reheat Furnace at the Metallus Faircrest Steel Plant.

The furnace allows for higher capacity production of special bar-based products used in the production of artillery shells for the Department of Defense. The furnace will help to fulfill increased global demand for artillery shells.

Governor DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Transportation is now distributing 1.4 million copies of Ohio’s new state map highlighting the “Ohio, The Heart of it All” tourism brand.   

“Our state map is a gateway to all things Ohio,” said Governor DeWine. “Our new map is about more than just our roads; it’s a tool we can use to showcase all we have to offer in Ohio the Heart of it All!” 

Ohio’s new state map, which debuted at the 2024 Ohio State Fair, features the latest road changes, updated routes, and points of interest to help travelers navigate Ohio with ease. Designed for both local residents and tourists, the map provides essential information on highways, byways, and notable destinations. 

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik  announced that more than 1,000 vacant, dilapidated buildings will be demolished to make room for new economic development in nine Ohio counties. 

The Ohio Department of Development is awarding $67.3 million in funding from the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program to tear down 1,277 blighted structures in Butler, Clinton, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Logan, Lucas, Muskingum, Preble, and Richland counties. 

“These buildings are standing in the way of progress, so it's time to knock them down," said Governor DeWine. "Once these structures are gone, we expect to see new economic development opportunities coming into these neighborhoods." 

“These funds will enable our communities to turn forgotten properties into valuable assets that contribute to the modern economy,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “This is an investment in the future of Ohio.”

As part of Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources celebrated the O’Donnell Wetland Restoration and Treatment Train project with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Two wetlands were restored, and five others were enhanced as part of the project. The wetlands will create a treatment train, filtering the water while capturing sediment, phosphorous, and nitrogen from nearby farmland drainage.

“H2Ohio is all about partnership and collaboration to improve our water quality, and this new wetland project is the perfect example of that,” said Governor DeWine. “We want people to enjoy the recreational aspects of Delaware Lake, and we are working hand in hand with our agriculture partners who farm nearby and want the same thing.”

Governor DeWine announced that Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director Jack Marchbanks will step down as director on September 30, 2024, and that Pamela Vest Boratyn will be nominated to serve as ODOT director beginning October 1, 2024.  Boratyn will need to be confirmed by the Ohio Senate.

“I want to thank Director Marchbanks for his leadership of ODOT since the beginning of my first term as governor,” said Governor DeWine.  “Jack has shared my vision for increasing safety on Ohio’s roads and making sure that our transportation system works efficiently to serve our residents, businesses, and visitors. I am also pleased that Pam Boratyn has agreed to serve as ODOT’s new director.  Pam has a passion for public service and a wealth of experience in the transportation sector.”    

Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Mihalik announced $106.9 million in state support to help clean up and redevelop 61 hazardous brownfield sites in 22 counties.

The Ohio Department of Development is awarding the funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, which was created by the DeWine-Husted Administration in 2021. This announcement includes approximately $102.4 million for 35 cleanup/remediation projects and roughly $4.5 million for 26 assessment projects. 

"There is no easy way to clean up the contamination at these sites; they all need expert remediation that's too costly for communities to take on alone," said Governor DeWine. "Through this program, we're helping local communities reclaim hazardous properties so that they can be reimagined and redeveloped."

“These grants will take hazardous properties and turn them into valuable economic assets for residential and commercial development,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “I am hopeful these sites will serve to provide new businesses, new jobs, and new homes for the next generation of Ohioans.”