CANFIELD — An infrastructure project in Canfield that would improve stormwater flow has been fully funded by grant work, saving residents money.

City officials learned in mid-summer that Canfield received funding through the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, under a hazard mitigation grant program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Cost for the Sawmill Creek Drainage Improvement project is $1.2 million, said city Manager Wade Calhoun, which is now completely covered by federal, state and local grant dollars.

The program awarded in Canfield is a 75 / 25 percent match, originally leaving the city responsible for $300,000.

Half of that, about $145,000, was picked up by the Ohio EMA, Calhoun said, with Canfield then responsible for the remainder.

That’s when the city applied for another grant through the Ohio Public Works Commission, which was awarded over the summer, Calhoun said.

The Sawmill Creek project will be the first major one to address stormwater concerns, Calhoun said.

It will occur in three phases. Work will include upsizing stormwater pipes, removing and installing new catch basins as well as implementing detention areas along Sawmill Creek.

Sawmill Creek runs adjacent from Canfield High School and meets the Mill Creek MetroParks bike trail to the west, to Glenview Road.

NEXT SUMMER

The project will begin as early as possible in the new fiscal year, using FEMA dollars, Calhoun said.

On July 1, Canfield will be able to begin spending OPWC funds on the project, for the local match.

With the funding secure, dollars the city would have spent on the project can now go toward addressing other stormwater needs in the city, Calhoun said.

The city’s stormwater fund and feasibility were evaluated after the May 28, 2019, storm that left major flooding in Canfield and surrounding areas, Calhoun said.

It was quickly discovered that maintenance and operations were covered by the amount of money generated by a stormwater fee that was increased from $3 per month to $8 in August 2019, Calhoun said.

Funds generated by the increase are used for capital improvements to the stormwater system throughout Canfield, Calhoun said.

OTHERS

In addition to the Sawmill Creek project, Calhoun said that the city has received further funding from OPWC for the 2021 road resurfacing project.

The total cost will be $518,590, with $201,000 to be paid for by grants. The rest of the project will be funded by local funds.

Another large project to be worked on next year is the Overbrook Drive stormwater sewer improvement project, which did not qualify for grants from OPWC, but instead received a 0 percent interest loan.

The total on that project will be $350,000, with a local match of $214,000. The city will receive the rate on $136,000.