It’s been a great few weeks in Chillicothe and Ross County!

In mid-April, the Chamber had the honor of hosting district officials from the U.S. Small Business Association. These officials were deeply impressed by the transformation of Chillicothe’s downtown and its surrounding businesses, and we are grateful for their recognition.

They also loved the dedication and tenacity of our small business owners. They’ve navigated COVID-19 and its aftermath and continue to create a great place to live, work, and play while contributing to the community’s overall enjoyment.

SBA officials also helped link the Chamber and the county's library system, setting the stage for a deeper partnership that will benefit the county's businesses.

Then, one week later, Gov. Mike DeWine and the state development director Lydia Mihalik came to Chillicothe to roll out more than $45 million in Appalachian Community Grant money for Ross County and more than $154 million for the entire region.

Let’s dig into the numbers:

- The substantial investment of over $35 million is set to revolutionize Chillicothe, positioning it as the epicenter of the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. We want the center of the World Heritage designation here in Chillicothe, not anywhere else. 

- This funding will also facilitate the creation of an amphitheater, the renovation of the baseball field, and the establishment of proper pickleball courts. The intersection of Water and Paint will get a shared-use bike path and a roundabout, which will slow traffic and enhance the park entrance. That change also becomes essential with the visitor center located at the armory. Most of this space is currently a crumbling parking lot and an aging building.

Additionally, it will enhance our children’s museum, transforming it into an even more engaging and educational space for our children. My children have benefitted from the museum, and many others have as well. The changes will ensure many others do the same.

- Nearly $2 million to improve & repair the Paint Creek Recreational Trail. It’s already a huge community asset that gets people more active and connects many of our places. The money will make some desperately needed fixes to help 22 miles of trails in our community - a huge draw for our community.

- $5.1 million to help revitalize the streets and downtowns of both Bainbridge and Frankfort, two emerging communities in southern Ohio located on the western edge of Ross County. I can’t wait to see what happens in these villages!

- $2.8 million to transform four of our five mound sites into authentic tourist attractions, including restrooms, visitor centers, shelters, and parking and safety improvements. Again, this positions Ross County as the place to come, stay, and see the World Heritage sites. 

Beyond our borders, the project will serve 30 projects in 12 counties, 30 communities, 12 downtowns, and 11 historic sites at a total cost of more than $154 million.

When you think we're done with rebirth in Ross County, we flip the script again. We've often discussed how World Heritage is a game-changer for our area. This incredible investment is proof of how big an influence Hopewell's designation will be for us. 

I’m grateful the governor’s office recognizes Chillicothe and Ross County as crucial to the Appalachian region’s success. We’ve come so far in such a short time - and there’s still more to achieve. Let’s get started.