FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DOVER, OHIO – January __ 2026 – The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) and the Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County (EDFA) are pleased to announce the official publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional engineering and environmental design services. This RFP marks the commencement of the "Community Capacity Building for Tuscarawas County" project, a collaborative effort involving twelve municipalities and supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
The project, funded through a $50,000 ARC READY Grants to Grow award and a $50,000 local match, represents a unified approach to regional economic development. The twelve participating communities—Baltic, Bolivar, Dennison, Dover, Gnadenhutten, Mineral City, Newcomerstown, New Philadelphia, Strasburg, Sugarcreek, Port Washington, and Uhrichsville—have come together to pool resources and align their local development efforts with countywide strategic goals.
"This initiative is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our local mayors and economic development," said Mayor Pat Cadle, leading the Mayors Association, "By securing this capacity-building grant, we are providing our cities and villages with the technical expertise needed to identify housing solutions, infrastructure improvements, and new funding sources. This is about making our communities more 'shovel-ready' for future investment".
The TCEDC and EDFA are seeking a qualified engineering firm to serve as a strategic planning consultant for the twelve participating municipalities.
A Foundation for Continued Growth
The Community Capacity Building project marks a significant milestone in Tuscarawas County’s ongoing economic development efforts. As the region experiences a period of steady expansion and renewed industrial interest, local leaders are focusing on the long-term readiness of the community.
Submission and Evaluation
Proposals from interested engineering firms are due no later than February 6th, 2026. Firms with demonstrated experience in Appalachian community development and environmental design are strongly encouraged to apply. Detailed submission instructions and the full RFP document can be found on the TCEDC website at www.TuscEDC.com/GrantsToGrow.
The selection process will prioritize firms that demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the Tuscarawas County industrial landscape and a commitment to collaborative, community-centric planning.
About the TCEDC and EDFA
The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering economic growth and opportunity in Tuscarawas County through business support and workforce development.
The Economic Development and Finance Alliance (EDFA) is the statutory lead for economic development, managing strategic properties and financing tools to drive regional transformation.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
The ARC is an economic development partnership between the federal government and 13 state governments, focusing on building community capacity and strengthening economic growth across the Appalachian Region.
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