The Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group of Ohio A Case Study (Group 5) Scott Gauthier, Mike Fleming, Jalyn Walker

Introduction Formed in 1990 by water program funders, Small Communities is one of the oldest Ohio state-based bodies devoted to helping small towns. Brings together federal and state agencies, local government and local government NGOs, service organizations, and educational institutions. Mission: To help small communities meet their water and wastewater infrastructure needs. Provides regulatory, technical, financial, and educational assistance. Assists small governments with developing, improving, and maintaining their water systems.

History: “The Drivers” Began by the executive director of the Ohio Water Development Authority. Federal and state government funders were aware small town demands for resources exceeded supply. Many funding sources were available but there was no easy way for small towns to access available funds. Small towns faced a seven year “bottom-up” process of coming together to find solutions to a reported problem. The OWDA saw numerous potential interactions with public and private sector organizations.

Partners Small Communities is held together by the collaboration of state funders, private sector investment, universities, and a number of other water infrastructure interests. State agencies form the bulk of funding and sit at the core of the partnership. Ohio universities are involved in training, technology hosting, and curriculum development. Ohio rural offices provide USDA funding support. Engineering consultants, state associations, and agricultural extension agents provide occasional support.

Funders Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) Ohio Department of Development (Small Cities Block Grant) Ohio Public Works Commission U.S. Economic Development Administration (USEDA) U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA/RD) Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia Private sector banker representative

Nonfunders Representatives of Ohio’s regional planning commissions and local development districts Ohio higher education Bowling Green University, Ohio University, Miami University Ohio State University’s College of Agriculture The Ohio Rural Water Association & Ohio Rural Community Action Program Engineering consultants State associations Agricultural extension agents The Ohio Departments of Health and Natural Resources

Mission Three Stated Goals To help small communities meet their water and wastewater infrastructure needs. Three Stated Goals Provide useful information for small community leadership. Assist small communities in identifying the most appropriate resources to help them resolve problems associated with environmental infrastructure. Developing additional technical and financial resources.

Supporting Objectives Producing new or revised curriculum materials. Providing funding guidance for up to thirty small communities annually. Implementing a new Appalachia Environmental Infrastructure Strategy. Providing information about new and underutilized technologies. Identifying the data requirements for a system of cost summary of waste- water re-use. Reviewing and recommending improvements to Ohio EPA rules and policies. Organizing a small communities self-help manual.

Achievements The core of Small Communities lies in the work of its Finance Committee. Regular meetings are held where communities bring forward their projects. The committee offers guidance through the submission process and criteria. Underserved communities are given particular attention and guidance. Funding representative are present at committee meetings to explain requirements, timelines and deadlines. Finance Committee Success Story A tiny community requested $125,000 in funding for a flooded water plant. The Public Works Commission offered a grant from emergency funds. The Ohio EPA offered a low interest loan. The remaining amount was offered in a small grant from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia.

Achievements Shenandoah Peat Bio Filter Cluster Drainage System Strategically adapting technology along technical, legal, and financial fronts. Through interactive work a feasible, cost-effective, and environmental permit-ready system was piloted. Now serves as a strategic blueprint ready for transfer to other communities. Significant advancements in training curriculum Multi-day training sessions are now being offered. Training materials now include highly usable workbooks. The training program for water plant operators now emphasizes both conservation and efficiency, and is operated by the Ohio State University School of Agriculture.

Challenges Efforts to deal in the area of technology have lagged behind those in education and financing. Technology transfer goals have not been met. Finance Committee meetings have been cancelled because too few communities have come forward. Small Communities leaders can do more to identify and develop expert reviewed practices and make these available to local officials, consultants, and development specialists. To meet the need to extend the strategic development activities of Small Communities to a larger number of communities.

Conclusion The Small Communities Environmental Infrastructure Group of Ohio was formed with the goal of helping small communities meet their water and wastewater infrastructure needs. Through a network of partners and the outreach work of the group finance committee, small Ohio communities are now achieving real and timely solutions to their project needs. With a new abundance of training and resources Small Communities is actualizing their stated goals and objectives with the achievements out weighing the challenges.