The DOPWIC received thirty-five (35) applications from twenty-seven (27) applicants for funding through the Fiscal Year  (FY) 2026 Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Infrastructure Programs.

The FY 2026 applications requested a total of $58,670,181 for infrastructure improvements.  District One has approximately $34,531,559 in OPWC funding, available through the State Capital Improvement Program, Revolving Loan Program, and the Local Transportation Improvement Program in FY 2026. The total funds available are shown in the FY 2026 Program Funding Table below.

FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026 PROGRAM FUNDINGGRANTSLOANS
State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP)$18,428,319$8,134
Local Transportation Improvement Program (LTIP)$6,982,253
Revolving Loan Program (RLP)$9,112,853
TOTAL AVAILABLE$25,410,572$9,120,987

Scoring

The DOPWIC staff evaluates and recommends scores for all the project applications using the OPWC requirements and District One methodology and evaluation criteria. Each program year is separate and distinct from previous years.

DOPWIC Staff reviewed and scored all applications per the following twelve (12) criteria, as established by the DOPWIC:

EVALUATION/SCORING CRITERIAMAXIMUM POINTS
Users10
Infrastructure Condition45
Infrastructure Age17
Health and Safety Needs55
Local Match20
Loan Incentive10
Access to Funds6
Community & Economic Development3
Regional Collaboration2
Coordinated Infrastructure Projects4
Economic Health23
Generation of User Fees5
TOTAL POINTS200

Preliminary Project Rankings

The Preliminary Project Rankings are listed in order from the highest score to the lowest. Based on these Preliminary Project Rankings, and available FY 2026 funding, the DOPWIC staff has identified Primary Recommendations.

Applicant Appeals

Per the FY 2026 District One State Capital Infrastructure Programs Applicant Manual, Applicants can appeal the score(s) received in the Preliminary Project Ranking to reassess a project score. Information that was not part of the original application will not be accepted during the appeal process.

All appeals must be submitted via email to Ms. Elaine Price, DOPWIC Liaison, at ep****@cu************.gov by  Monday, December 23, 2024 by 4:30 p.m.  Appeals must specify the category or categories that the applicant considers were incorrectly evaluated. The appeal must be accompanied by an explanation of why the awarded points appear incorrect. Late appeals will not be accepted.

The DOPWIC Staff will review the appeals and determine if any corrective action is recommended. The DOPWIC will address the Appeals and Staff Recommendations at the Project Selection Meeting.

Committee Evaluation and Final Project Ranking

The DOPWIC is scheduled to meet on TuesdayJanuary 28, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. to determine Final Project Ranking and select the projects to be submitted to the OPWC for FY 2025 funding.

Applicants not funded are welcome to contact the Liaison to discuss the merits of their application after the recommendations have been submitted to OPWC.