COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments has received $250,000 in state funding to study the possibility of building a natural gas pipeline across Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties. The funding was included in Ohio’s Fiscal Years 2026-2027 operating budget, signed into law on July 1.

House Majority Whip Nick Santucci and the bipartisan Lake to River Caucus worked with Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and Lake to River Economic Development to secure the funding.

Rep. Santucci said state investment could benefit the region by helping to grow the economy, attract new industries, and create jobs.

Eastgate will use the funds to hire a consultant. The consultant will examine the economic and technical aspects of developing a pipeline along the State Route 11 corridor. The corridor connects Lake Erie deepwater ports in Ashtabula and Conneaut with the Ohio River in Wellsville.

The study will explore how to connect natural gas from Eastern Ohio's Appalachian region to address existing service gaps in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties. It will also assess the potential for the pipeline to supply natural gas-fired power plants and support the export of liquified natural gas from the region's deepwater ports. The study will ultimately determine if a pipeline project is feasible and, if so, what type of public-private partnership structure would be most economically sound.

James Kinnick, Eastgate's Executive Director, said leveraging Route 11's location for energy infrastructure could be important for Eastern Ohio.

Sarah Boyarko, Lake to River Vice President of Economic Development, said the project reflects a proactive approach to economic development in the Lake to River region. She stated that improving energy infrastructure along Route 11 could make regional sites more competitive for private investment.