COLUMBUS — New facilities to educate and entertain the public are on the way to Sardis, thanks to $4.4 million in state funding.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik on Monday announced 21 new economic development projects to transform communities along Ohio’s Appalachian waterfront.

In Monroe County, $4,473,700 was awarded for creation of the Sardis Riverfront Amphitheater.

“The Sardis Riverfront project will intertwine heritage and modern river industry with the construction of a riverfront amphitheater designed to resemble a steamboat paddle wheel,” the governor’s office announced. “The new amphitheater will offer a scenic space for the community and be used for educational presentations and special events.”

As part of the effort, the village will develop scenic trails with ecological attractions that maximize recreational use and environmental preservation for the benefit of multiple generations, according to the release.

In total, Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative will award $152 million to communities in 12 counties to expand access to local waterways, revitalize historic riverfront downtowns and create new tourism and recreational opportunities.

“When we launched this program, we asked our Appalachian communities to think big, and that’s exactly what they did,” DeWine said. “The projects we’re announcing today were developed by those living in our Appalachian riverfront communities because no one knows what’s needed to make this region thrive better than those who live here.”

The 17 riverfront communities receiving funding include Sardis, Beverly, Portsmouth, Marietta, Gallipolis, Higginsport, Ironton (2), South Point, Burlington, Ripley, Racine, Proctorville, New Richmond, Pomeroy, McConnelsville (2), Middleport, and Zanesville. Other projects included in the $152 million investment are downtown revitalizations in Caldwell and New Philadelphia.

“The Ohio River and its tributaries have long served as a source of commerce and economic opportunity, however, Ohio has not maximized these resources for recreation, tourism and improving the quality of life for the people who live there,” Husted said. “Better days are on the way as this investment will make all of these communities a better place to live and play.”

Projects funded through Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative include outdoor infrastructure improvements involving river-to-downtown connections, downtown redevelopment and streetscape improvements, boat ramps, docks and parks. Projects will improve walkability within communities and enhance riverfronts to increase tourism.

“By revitalizing riverfront communities and enhancing access to some of Ohio’s most precious natural resources, we’re not just embarking on a journey of economic growth; we’re catalyzing a profound transformation in the lives of our people, fostering new opportunities and shaping a brighter future for generations to come,” Mihalik said.

Funding for Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative is being awarded through the larger Appalachian Community Grant Program, which is investing $500 million into Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region. The DeWine-Husted administration spearheaded this investment with support from the Ohio General Assembly in 2022.

Previously announced funding awarded as part of the Appalachian Community Grant Program includes:

Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative — $64 million to create or expand community- and school-based health clinics and launch healthcare-focused workforce development programs to train the next generation of Appalachian healthcare professionals. This is providing $3.3 million for a community-based health center on the campus of Ohio University Eastern in St. Clairsville under the East Central Ohio Service Center working in cooperation with the Ohio Hills Health Centers.

Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative: $154 million

to raise the area’s profile as a travel destination and improve quality of life for local residents by revitalizing historic downtown districts, creating new opportunities for recreation, and amplifying the experience for those visiting the region’s cultural sites. Locally, this will provide $3.9 million to renovate the historic Black Horse Inn at Morristown to serve as the future home of the Underground Railroad Museum, currently located in Flushing.

Approximately $80 million in funding from the Appalachian Community Grant Program was awarded to several  shovel-ready projects and planning projects. Additional grants for waterfront communities will be announced in the coming days.

The Appalachian Community Grant Program is administered by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia within the Department of Development. In total, the DeWine-Husted Administration has invested approximately $2 billion into Ohio’s Appalachian counties since 2019.