History • Environment • Arts • Recreation • Tourism
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“In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision place of the souls... and generations that know us not and that we know not of, shall come, to ponder and dream; and the power of the vision shall pass into their souls.”
- Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
The HEART of Appalachian Ohio grant application is an effort spearheaded by the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District. Our District has a long 75 year history of leading efforts to help the citizens and the environment of our community through a variety of focuses. When this grant became available, we saw clearly the relevance between our current projects and the Legislature's Appalachian Grant goals of economic development through quality of life and place enhancements. We immediately began a grassroots effort to work both with our existing Soil and Water relationships in Districts around the region as well as forging new partnerships as relevant projects were discovered. Aaron Dodds, our District Projects Manager, took the lead and has been a force of nature in seeing the HEART through to it’s application in Dec. 2023.
“Care for our environment, developing the quality of life in our region, and preserving our area history are all very important principles of the Board and Staff at JSWCD. And we find these exact same goals with all of our Partners in the HEART application. We’re all appreciative of Governor DeWine and the Ohio Legislature for making these funds available for our Region. The Appalachian Grant process has created a unique opportunity for new and (some very) old ideas to be further developed and hopefully funded. It has the potential of creating lasting positive change in Appalachian Ohio for generations to come.”
- Mark Nelson, JSWCD Board Chair
PROJECTS
Image 1: Zoar Hotel
Image 2: Steubenville Streetscape
Image 3: Three Dimensional Murals
Image 4: Appalachian Ohio Garden Park
Image 5: Junction Earthworks
Image 6: Quaker Ridge
HEART of Appalachian Ohio Partners
Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District • Ohio History Connection • Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District • East Liverpool Community Improvement Corporation • Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District • Brush Creek Township Trustees (Jefferson County) • Perry Soil and Water Conservation District • Village of Salineville • Athens Soil and Water Conservation District • Meigs County Commissioners • Holmes Soil and Water Conservation District • American Heritage Museum • Jefferson County Commissioners • Arc of Appalachia • Clary Gardens • City of Steubenville • Village of West Lafayette • Perry County Commissioners • Athens County Commissioners • Alan Cottrill Studios • Captina Creek Conservancy • Steubenville Cultural Trust • Maysville Local Schools (Middle and High Schools) • Franklin Local Community School • Foxfire Schools • Village of Wintersville • Newcomerstown Historical Society