EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, as well as directors from the Ohio EPA, Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Department of Health, Governor's Office of Appalachia and Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, were in East Palestine Friday for an update following February's toxic train derailment.
During his visit, DeWine announced that the state will award East Palestine $150,000 to help support the purchase of new emergency response equipment. Specifically, the funds will help pay for the cost of a pair of dump trucks, a utility bed truck, and a drone.
The village previously secured federal grant funds that partially covered the cost of the equipment. In an effort to reduce the amount of local funds needed to cover the difference, DeWine's office says the state's contribution from the Governor's Office of Appalachia represents more than 65% of the required local match.
“This funding is another example of our administration’s continued commitment to the East Palestine community,” said DeWine in a statement. “This investment will significantly reduce East Palestine's share of expenses associated with this new equipment."
You can watch Gov. DeWine's remarks from Friday in the player below.
The existing trucks in East Palestine are more than 20 years old and have been used to haul materials and supplies to and from the derailment site. The drone will go to the East Palestine Fire Department, which was forced to borrow equipment for overhead views of the derailment site.
In addition, DeWine announced on Friday that the first round of 0% interest, forgivable loans to be awarded as part of the East Palestine Emergency Support Program will be announced as early as next week. The loans are being awarded to businesses to assist with ongoing expenses and recovery efforts associated with the derailment.
Eligible business can still apply through the online application available at development.ohio.gov/EastPalestine.
On Oct. 30, Norfolk Southern announced that they had removed the last of contaminated soil from the train derailment site. Norfolk Southern called the day "momentous," having been almost nine months since the derailment.