$750,000 awarded to ross county board of commissioners for rural and tribal assistance pilot program to support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects

The Department of Transportation awarded a $750,000 cooperative agreement to Ross County Board of Commissioners on August 24, 2026, under the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (CFDA 20.943) to support legal, technical, and financial advisors advancing infrastructure projects in the county.

The recipient will deliver preliminary design work for the Pleasant Valley Corridor, with required deliverables including a work plan, quarterly reports, project deliverables, and evidence of 2 CFR 200 compliance. The program provides reimbursable grants enabling recipients to employ or procure expert advisory services for development-phase activities on transportation infrastructure projects in rural areas reasonably expected to be eligible for DOT credit and grant programs.

Ross County Board of Commissioners, headquartered in Chillicothe, Ohio, serves as a pass-through entity for federal and state infrastructure and community development programs. The organization has received 20 prime federal grants totaling $15.5 million across seven agencies, with a portfolio concentrating on aviation and transportation infrastructure. Recent activity includes Federal Aviation Administration awards for Chillicotle Airport runway and blast pad rehabilitation, an Environmental Protection Agency wastewater treatment and conveyance system cooperative agreement, and sub-awards for bridge preservation through the Federal Highway Administration.

Performance occurs in Ohio, with a period of performance extending from August 24, 2026, through August 23, 2029. Benefits accrue to Ross County residents.

Activities to be performed: pleasant valley corridor preliminary design. Deliverables/expected outcomes: work plan, quarterly reports, project deliverables and 2 CFR 200 compliance. Beneficiaries: ross county residents.