Coshocton seeks $500K grant for water well field upgrades

COSHOCTON − The City of Coshocton is seeking a $500,000 Critical Infrastructure Grant from the Community Block Development Grant Program through Coshocton County Commissioners.

Utilities Director Dave Kadri said funding would be used to upgrade obsolete equipment at the city's water well field and to install a reliable power source with American Electric Power. Items now were originally installed in the 1960s.

Kadri said the total project is estimated at $800,000 and remaining funding would most likely come from a low to no interest loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission. He said engineering for the project is already slated to be done.

Two public hearings on the matter will be scheduled upcoming in the Coshocton County Commissioners' Office. The deadline to apply with the State of Ohio is June 12.

While other entities are up on the cycle for funding consideration, Commissioner Dane Shryock said the city project should receive priority based on the city positioning itself as a regional water authority and it impacts other municipalities.

Coshocton provides water and water services to West Lafayette, is expanding to Warsaw and is in talks for an expansion to Conesville, primarily covering the burgeoning Conesville Industrial Park. Water well fields will help with these projects and future expansion, Kadri said.