U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown announced on Thursday that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a grant of $250,000 to the village of East Palestine for a waterline replacement project.

The project will replace 18,800 feet of waterlines to fix the original lines that experience breakages, leaks, and other issues, including a health hazard posed by parts of the lines containing lead.

The improvements will support the economic activity of 155 businesses and help improve the area's quality of life for 1,892 households.

Local resources will provide $4,971,317, and state resources will provide $1,000,000, bringing the total project funding to $6,221,317.

Funding for this project was made possible through the bipartisan Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which Senator Brown helped write and pass.

"I'm working to make sure Ohio gets its fair share - or more- of infrastructure investment. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these funds will have a significant impact for the Village of East Palestine," Senator Brown said.