WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, August 19, 2022

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Week in Review

For the week ending August 19, 2022

Governor DeWine with Whitehall Police Department Chief Mike Crispen and Mayor Kim Maggard

On Monday,?Governor Mike DeWine announced that he is increasing? the amount of violent crime reduction grant funding available to local law enforcement agencies by $42 million.?

The funds added increase the total amount of money available to law enforcement through the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program from $58 million to $100 million.?

"Violent crime is spiking nationwide, and here in Ohio, I want to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have as much support as possible," said Governor DeWine. "From new equipment to more staff, we're giving our agencies the flexibility to use these grants in ways that make the biggest impact on the safety of their communities."

Also on Monday, Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Agriculture?announced a $5 million grant program for a new H2Ohio Best Management Practice (BMP) ? the Two-Stage Ditch. A two-stage ditch is a conservation practice that modifies the shape of a drainage ditch to create vegetation benches on each side. The vegetative benches slow water flow and reduce downstream nutrient runoff.

?Clean water for all Ohioans is a top priority,? said Governor DeWine. ?I am pleased that H2Ohio continues to implement new solutions to improve water quality.?

On Tuesday, Governor DeWine?announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)?approved Ohio Medicaid?s extended coverage for new moms from 60 days to 12 months after the birth of their child. With this extension, CMS estimates approximately 21,000 Ohio women annually will be eligible for this extended health coverage.?

?Maternal health is a strong predictor of a child?s health, so by extending health coverage for new moms, we are helping to provide the healthiest possible start in life for Ohio?s children,? said Governor DeWine. ?Ohio began this extended coverage on April 1, 2022, and CMS?s final approval is the last step to ensuring we can continue providing these services.? ?

Governor DeWine talking with fair goers at the Muskingum County Fair.

Also on Tuesday, Governor DeWine received a tour of the Muskingum County Fair from Sheriff Matt Lutz.

Lastly on Tuesday, Governor DeWine?read ?The Little Engine That Could? to children at the Mercer County Fair to promote Dolly Parton?s Imagination Library of Ohio.

Governor DeWine with local officials during a lunch meeting at the Corner Inn.

On?Wednesday, Governor DeWine had lunch with Wyandot County Commissioner Bill Clinger, Director of Wyandot County Economic Development Greg Moon, County Prosecutor Douglas Rowland, Mayor of Carey Jennifer Rathburn, Major Kurt Beidelschies from the Sheriff?s Office, President and CEO of First Citizens National Bank Mark Johnson, and other local leaders at Corner Inn in Upper Sandusky.

Governor DeWine speaking at the Old South End Gateway Arch Dedication.

Also on Wednesday,?Governor DeWine spoke?at the Historic South Initiative (HSI) in Toledo as they dedicated the Old South End Gateway Arch.

HSI is a comprehensive effort to revitalize neighborhoods. The initiative's goal is to restore the area to its former position as a vibrant place for families and businesses.

Lastly on Wednesday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted announced?that 12 meat processors have been awarded a total of nearly $3 million to implement processing efficiencies, expand or construct facilities at existing sites, assist in training and certification, and improve harvest services.

This is the third round of awards made through the Ohio Meat Processing Grant, and they will help businesses in 11 counties. Including the first two rounds, 128 grants have been awarded to Ohio meat processors in 59 of Ohio?s 88 counties, totaling nearly $28 million.

?We wanted to make sure that all meat processors in the state had an opportunity to benefit from this grant program, so we allocated more funding,? said Governor DeWine. ?These grants don?t just benefit the processors. They also benefit Ohio families who will find more meat products available to them at the store.?

?These grants help food processors invest in new machinery and technology that can deliver more food, less expensively,? said Lt. Governor Husted. ?This results in a new level of productivity that benefits the consumer with lower prices, business with more production, and the workforce with higher pay.?

On Thursday, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted? joined Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and leaders from the conservation and tourism industry to celebrate the 42nd annual Governor?s Fish Ohio Day. This annual event highlights the importance of protecting and improving Lake Erie, and its fish and wildlife resources. The event was co-sponsored by the Division of Wildlife, Lake Erie Shores & Islands, and the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association. ?Each year, Fish Ohio Day celebrates Lake Erie?s world-class fishing and the many agencies and organizations that are dedicated to keeping the lake healthy and beautiful,? said Governor DeWine. ?The day offers an opportunity to experience the lake?s great fishing firsthand.?

?Lake Erie is renowned as the Walleye Capital of the World and is a premier recreation destination,? said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. ?As someone who fishes the lake frequently, I can say that it boasts the best walleye fishing in the country.?

Governor DeWine with members of the Willard Police Department, Crestline Police Department, and elected officials.

Also on Thursday, Governor DeWine announced?that he is awarding $8.5 million to 21?local law enforcement agencies to help them strategically combat violence in their communities.?

Governor DeWine announced the seventh round of recipients to receive grant funds as part of his?Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program while visiting Willard. The Willard Police Department is receiving a grant of $393,097.78 to maintain its workforce and to attract and retain new officers with hiring and retention bonuses.?

?Many law enforcement agencies across Ohio are facing an increase in resignations and a decrease in new applicants to fill those vacant positions, which has a direct impact on the safety of their communities," said Governor DeWine. ?I am committed to supporting agencies that need help filling their ranks so that they can effectively protect their citizens and themselves."?

On Friday, Governor DeWine announced that the State is now accepting applications for $53 million in grant funding for schools as part of his $100 million Ohio K-12 School Safety Grant Program.

The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), in partnership with the?Ohio School Safety Center,?is encouraging more than 4,000 eligible public schools, districts, and chartered non-public schools statewide to apply for the grant opportunity. Applicants can request up to $100,000 per school building to cover expenses associated with physical security enhancements, such as security cameras, public address systems, automatic door locks, visitor badging systems, and exterior lighting.

?A safe school plays a crucial role in improving the physical and mental health of students and staff, alike,? said Governor DeWine. ?These grants help create safe learning environments, so students have the opportunity to succeed in the classroom.?

Also on Friday, Governor DeWine joined the Brooklyn Police Department in Cuyahoga County to?discuss their new initiatives to investigate and prevent violent crime in the area. The Department is one of 119 law enforcement agencies that has received a grant from the Governor's? $100M Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program.

Lastly on Friday, Governor DeWine met with the Cortland Police Department, another one of the 119 law enforcement agencies that have received a grant from the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program.?

Police departments like the one in Cortland can use the grants to help prevent violence and keep community members safe.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957