ASHLAND — The Charles Mill Marina is one of 11 Ashland County projects that will receive state monies from a One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund courtesy of the state.
Charles Mill will receive $919,00 from a $717 million pot of money set aside in House Bill 33 that passed in June.
The grants are made available through applications on projects that might not qualify for the state’s traditional Capital Budget. That budget happens every two years.
Each chamber of the Legislature planned for $350 million of the total amount.
There are no matching funds needed, and the money needs to be spent within two years of receiving it.
State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) said she’s pleased with how the program is benefitting villages and townships.
When I was campaigning, I was a strong voice for bringing these taxpayer dollars back home,” Miller said. “It’s going to have a great impact on our local communities. I love that it’s being spread out to not just the cities, but to the villages and townships too.”
Miller, who represents all of Ashland County and part of Medina County, said there were at least 100 applicants for the one-time funding. Her office did not choose the recipients, however. She said she developed a list that ranked projects by priority, but that the House’s finance committee chose the final recipients.
Charles Mill Marina Houseboat and Path Renovation — $910,000
Andrew Schraedly, co-owner of Charles Mill Marina, said the project will solve some erosion issues that have gone largely unattended since 1986.
“There’s never really been a substantial renovation there,” he said. “So the biggest use of the funds will be erosion control on the path.”
The marina serves as a dock for roughly 65 boats, Schraedly said. The quarter-mile path that leads to those docks and houseboats is the target for improvement. Electric capabilities will also be improved along the path and dock.
It’s a big project. He said the whole thing will cost $1.6 million. The remainder of the project will be funded through grants available through the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and the marina’s own funding.
However, the marina’s portion of the project will not lead to “dramatic increases” in rates to houseboats docked there, he said.
He also doesn’t want to interrupt the boating season with the project. So the earliest it could start is November.
