Ohio Governor DeWine Tours Three Riverfront Revitalization Projects: $36 Million to Remake Ohio River Communities
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine toured three riverfront revitalization project sites along the Ohio River with local leaders, highlighting about $36 million in redevelopment made possible through the state's Appalachian Community Grant Program. The projects are in Ripley and Higginsport, in Brown County, and in New Richmond, in Clermont County.
In Ripley, the nearly $16.4 million Freedom Landing Riverfront Revitalization Project will add an amphitheater and event lawn, festival space, concessions, restrooms and expanded parking, along with a new Freedom Plaza featuring a 30-foot Freedom Beacon, the reinstalled Freedom Monument and new historical markers honoring Ripley's Underground Railroad heroes. In Higginsport, more than $6.3 million will reimagine Slim Sallee Park with a fishing pier and overlook, pedestrian walkways, multi-use event space, modern restrooms and an RV campground. In New Richmond, the nearly $13.5 million Liberty Landing project includes a new public marina, an ADA-accessible floating dock system, event space and streetscape upgrades along Front Street.
"The Ohio River played a powerful role in shaping our state's history, including the communities built along its banks. With these investments, the river will once again be a driver for new economic development," Governor DeWine said. Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said the investments resulted from local partners' bold ideas and shared vision. The three projects are part of the state's Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative, which is directing $204 million to communities in 12 counties, funded through the broader Appalachian Community Grant Program, which has committed $500 million to Ohio's 32-county Appalachian region.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 俄亥俄河景色（资料图）。开放授权图片，经 Wikimedia Commons 发布／A view of the Ohio River (file photo). Freely licensed image, via Wikimedia Commons
