05/06/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation Receives
2026 AEP Ohio LEAP Grant
Dover, Ohio, May 6, 2026 — AEP Ohio has announced Tuscarawas Economic Development Corporation as one of 18 community economic development organizations across Ohio to receive a Local Economic Advancement Program (LEAP) grant.
In 2026, AEP Ohio is distributing more than $461,000 through the LEAP program to help organizations across its service territory plan their local economies' futures, prepare local industrial sites for new businesses and support creative ways to introduce their communities to existing and prospective employers.
“These recipients are helping make their communities better places to live and work, and as a proud member of the communities we serve, we’re honored to support the important work of our neighbors,” said Zach Miller, director of economic development for AEP Ohio.
The funds will be used in partnership with a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission Grants to Grow program. We will be assisting cities and villages with local planning. The towns involved include: Baltic, Bolivar, Dennison, Gnadenhutten, Mineral City, Newcomerstown, New Philadelphia, Port Washington, Sugarcreek, Strasburg, and Uhrichsville.
Seventeen other local economic development organizations will receive a LEAP grant this year:
• Cambridge Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation
• City of Canton
• Holmes County Economic Development Council
• Jackson County Economic Development Partnership
• Jefferson County Port Authority
• Lancaster Port Authority
• Lawrence Economic Development Corporation
• Ohio Southeast Economic Development
• Regional Growth Partnership
• Team NEO
• University of Rio Grande
• Wayne County Economic Development Council
• Defiance County Community Improvement Corporation
• Mid-Ohio Development Exchange
• Paulding County Community Improvement Corporation
• Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation
• Wyandot County Collaboration