MIAMI VALLEY COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Ohio EPA Awards Germantown $70,627 in Grant Funding
Funding from H2Ohio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant Program
COLUMBUS, OH — July 15, 2026 — Germantown was recently awarded $70,627 in the fourth round of grant funding by Ohio EPA’s H2Ohio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant Program. This funding will be used to purchase a brine maker and application equipment.
Nearly $1 million is being invested to help Ohio communities reduce chloride pollution from road salt while maintaining safe winter travel.
The H2Ohio Rivers Program, an expansion of Governor Mike DeWine’s 2019 H2Ohio initiative, supports efforts to decrease excessive salt use and encourages communities responsible for winter road maintenance to adopt best management practices. Through this grant program, applicants could request funding for new salt equipment or the construction of salt storage facilities to ease costs for local governments.
Ohio EPA has awarded more than $975,000 in the latest round of H2Ohio chloride reduction grants, supporting 15 projects statewide. Grants of up to $75,000 will help municipalities purchase equipment or enhance salt storage to protect water quality.
“Protecting Ohio’s water from salt contamination requires practical, common-sense solutions,” Gov. DeWine said. “By helping communities upgrade equipment and improve salt storage practices, we are protecting our waterways and easing the financial burden on local taxpayers.”
“The last three years have shown us an overwhelming need for this funding,” said Ohio EPA Director John Logue. “They have also shown undeniable progress made by awarding these H2Ohio dollars and empowering municipalities to put them to good use.”
Ohio EPA is excited about Germantown’s commitment to reducing salt in their community and protecting Ohio’s waterways.
History
Miami Valley Communications Council is a municipal communications and technology organization representing the eight member cities of Centerville, Germantown, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton. The council also has affiliate agreements with other Miami Valley cities. MVCC was formed in 1975 as a council of governments to monitor, regulate, and administer common cable television franchise agreements, manage the operation of the council's cable access television channels, and develop and implement intergovernmental projects designed to strengthen communications between member cities and their citizens. A policy-making body consisting of delegates representing member cities governs the council.
Funding
MVCC is funded through franchise fees paid by the cable service provider. Franchise fees are rent that the cable company pays for placing its wires over or under the public rights-of-way (streets.) MVCC uses these franchise fees to support its community access television activities, cooperative intergovernmental projects, and to explore new and changing technologies that will benefit member communities. The council, in turn, provides many services to our communities at little or no cost.