Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Friday that more than $9 million in grants would go toward the creation of workforce housing in five counties.

"It's really a big deal and you know, it just underscores the momentum that we're seeing inthe mahoning valley," Nico Morgione, Director of Government Affairs with the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, said. "We're continuing to see economic development wins with the likes of Ultium Cells, Kimberly Clark, a Vallourec expansion, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense," he said.

Among those awarded, Youngstown received $2.5 million and Warren, $850,000.

Youngstown City Spokesman Andy Resnick said in a statement, "This is another example of community partners coming together to continue to grow our city. This specific grant leverages the investment being made in the development with funds that can be utilized for beautification efforts and infrastructure improvements that makes the project more affordable and attractive."

"Youngstown's going to be able to build about 220 homes with these funds with a whole slew of other things. Youngstown is looking more at the infill housing aspect of it and the city of Warren is really focused on their Peninsula Project," Morgione said.

A press release from Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Development reads in part:

"The City of Youngstown (Mahoning County) will receive a $2.5 million grant to support the development of up to 220 workforce housing units through an infill housing initiative. Funding will be used to improve roads, sidewalks, lighting, and other public infrastructure, while also connecting new homes to existing water and sewer systems. Many of the homes will be built on vacant lots owned by the city and the Mahoning County Land Bank, helping transform underutilized properties into new residential opportunities. Homebuyers will receive a 100 percent, 15-year property tax abatement and be eligible for down-payment assistance through the city's At Home program. The project is a collaboration between Youngstown, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Mercy Health Youngstown, and other community partners. This project supports housing demand created by investments from the Ultium Cells facility in Warren and other regional economic development projects.

The City of Warren (Trumbull County) will receive an $851,000 grant to support the Peninsula Project, which will create 306 new housing units, including apartments and townhomes. The funding will be used to modernize water and sewer main lines and upgrade surrounding public infrastructure, enabling higher-density development in the project area. These improvements will support a mix of housing types, including units intended for essential workers earning at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The investment will help prepare the site for construction while advancing Warren's broader strategy to increase housing availability through infrastructure upgrades and pro-housing policies. This supports housing demand created by investments from Ultium Cells and other regional economic development projects."

Morgione said it may take some time before we start to see these funds at work coming together, but that he's excited for the future of the Valley.