Joyce Secures $4.3 Million for Local Projects

April 7, 2022 by Amy Patterson

Last month, U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce (R-Bainbridge Township) announced $18 million for projects in Northeast Ohio, with $4.3 million dedicated to Geauga County infrastructure.

The funds were secured as part of the 2022 House Appropriations Act.

Joyce said in a statement he was proud to have secured the funding requests for local communities.

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I take seriously the responsibility to not only scrutinize federal spending, but also direct it where it’s needed most back home,” Joyce said. “I look forward to having these tax dollars returned to Northeast Ohio and seeing the positive impact they have in our communities.”

Of the portion dedicated to Geauga County, $3.5 million will go toward improvements at the Chagrin Falls wastewater treatment plant on Meadow Lane, which serves Chagrin Falls, as well as portions of Bentleyville, Moreland Hills, South Russell, Russell Township and Bainbridge Township.

Joyce’s office said the plant is the county’s largest, treating over a million gallons per day, and has in the past received violations from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency.

The funds secured will go toward improvements and repairs necessary to ensure the plant can continue to protect public health and maintain the health and vitality of McFarland Creek and the Chagrin River.

An additional $800,000 in federal funds have been set aside for improvements and repairs to the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant, located on Chagrin River Road, to meet increased environmental protection regulations.

Steve Oluic, director of the Geauga County Water Resources department, said the funding will keep the county on track to meet the compliance agreement it has with the EPA.

“This $800,000 will go a long way in renovating and upgrading the McFarland Wastewater Treatment Plant and helping to safeguard McFarland Creek, a tributary of the Chagrin River,” Oluic said.

Chagrin Falls Mayor William Tomko extended his thanks to Joyce, as well as U.S. sens. Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown, for securing the funds.

“The federal funding will materially reduce the cost of this required plant modernization. These costs would have otherwise had to have been paid by sewer charges on customer’s utility bills,” Tomko said in a press release. “Representative Joyce, in particular, made enormous efforts on behalf of residents of our area, (which) are greatly appreciated.”

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Joyce headshot

Do we have any file photos of the Chagrin river?