Balderson supports HDM water project with $400,000 grant

Water and sewer is a vital lifeline in the expansion and growth of any town, village or city, and recently, Historic Downtown Millersburg got a bit of great news that should open the door to growth.

Near the end of January, Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12) announced he secured $400,000 in federal funding for the Millersburg Waterline Project, an investment to modernize water infrastructure and support growing health care and residential needs in Holmes County.

“Reliable water infrastructure is essential for growing communities, but needed improvements can prove costly for smaller communities,” Balderson said. “This funding will help the Village of Millersburg replace an undersized waterline, improve system capacity, and ensure reliable service for residents and Pomerene Hospital as it plans for future expansion, all while protecting local taxpayers from bearing the full cost of necessary upgrades.”

That effort was a breath of fresh air for Millersburg Mayor Kelly Hoffee, who said the investment in the Millersburg Waterline Project was going to bless many people.

“The Village of Millersburg extends its sincere appreciation to Congressman Troy Balderson for his support in securing vital federal funding for the Wooster Road Waterline Project,” Hoffee said. “This investment is critical to modernizing Millersburg’s water infrastructure and ensuring adequate flow and capacity to the north end of the village. It will significantly improve system reliability for residents while strengthening the water supply that serves Pomerene Hospital, a regional health care provider for all of Holmes County and portions of Wayne County.

"Enhancing this essential infrastructure supports public health and community growth and positions Millersburg for long-term stability and future development.”

The $400,000 in federal funding will be used to replace the existing waterline from Wooster Road North to the village limits. The new, larger waterline will more adequately supply residents in the northern portion of the village and meet the current and future needs of Pomerene Hospital. The project will improve system reliability and ensure Millersburg’s infrastructure can keep pace with community growth.

Each year members of Congress may submit community project funding requests during the annual appropriations process. Balderson works with local officials and county engineers to identify projects in need of financial assistance across the 12th Congressional District.

Funding for the project was made possible with the passage and enactment of the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026.