WASHINGTON: A local organization receives grant support to expand jobs on Route 7. AEP awarded the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority a $5,000 grant Wednesday. The organization plans to use the grant for their sewer project on State Route 7, between Belpre and Marietta. They say the sewer project will help businesses along Route 7 expand and develop more jobs.
“This is the only method that we really have in order to basically do infrastructure improvements,” said Southeastern Ohio Port Authority Executive Director James Black. “If you don’t have water and sewer in an area, you can’t really promote economic development.” The Southeastern Ohio Port Authority previously received an AEP grant two years ago.