April 8, 2024
Guernsey County Commissioners
627 Wheeling Avenue, Suite 300, Cambridge, OH 43725
740-432-9200
To All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals:
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Guernsey Conty Commissioners.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about, but not before, April 29, 2024, the Guernsey County Commissioners will submit a request to the HUD Office of Community Planning & Development for the release of Federal funds under FY2023 Economic Development Initiative – Community Project Funding funds under Explanatory Statement Division L – Title II of the Public Law 117 – 328 – Consolidated Appropriations Act [2023]; to be used for the following project(s): D. O. Hall Business Center Expansion.
(Project Name: List of Project’s Activities)
HUD (CDS) – $2,100,000; $2,050,300 local funds
The proposed project is on a 44-acre lot, which is part of the DO Hall Business Center. The proposed project will have 23.91 acres of disturbed earth, as determined by an initial engineering judgment. This project is an extension of Utica Way approximately 1,300 ft west of the intersection of Utica Way and Gander Road. The project consists of resurfacing 500 feet of existing roadway and construction of a new 1,700 ft roadway which will serve future light industrial buildings. Groundwork will include trenching and backfill for underground utilities that may include storm sewer, natural gas, sanitary sewer, water lines, electric, and telecommunications. The portion of the site being developed (Utica Way extension and related right of way) will need to be stripped of vegetation and the vegetation disposed of. The site will require areas of cut and fill to construct to subgrade and will be relatively flat. The project site is currently owned by the Community Industrial Association, administered by the Guernsey County Port Authority. No acquisition will be needed for this project. The total project budget is $4,150,300.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Guernsey County Commissioners has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the Guernsey County Commissioners Office, 627 Wheeling Avenue, Suite 300, Cambridge, Ohio 43725, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M and on Ohio Mid – Eastern Government Association website at www.omegadistrict.org. The ERR may also be provided upon request electronically via email. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to Erin Wright, OMEGA, 326 Highland Ave Suite B., Cambridge, Ohio 43725 or by email to ewright@omegadistrict.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Guernsey County Commissioners by U.S. mail or email at the addresses above. All comments received before April 24, 2024, will be considered by the Guernsey County Commissioners prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Guernsey County Commissioners certifies to the HUD Office of Community Planning & Development that Jack Marlin in his capacity as President of County Commissioners consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The HUD Office of Community Planning & Development’s approval of Appalachian Partnership Inc. to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD Office of Community Planning & Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the Guernsey County Commissioners certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Guernsey County Commissioners; (b) the Guernsey County Commissioners has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD Office of Community Planning & Development; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD Columbus Field Office at email address: CPDColumbusRROF@hud.gov Potential objectors should contact HUD Columbus Field Office to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Jack Marlin, President of Guernsey County Commissioners