Small Government Program

The Small Government Program, administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC), is a competitive infrastructure funding initiative aimed at supporting Ohio’s villages and townships with populations under 5,000 in unincorporated areas. This program operates as part of the broader State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) and is designed to ensure that smaller communities, which may not receive funding at the district level, have an alternative pathway to secure necessary resources for critical infrastructure projects. The program earmarks $30 million annually from the SCIP allocation specifically for this purpose, reinforcing the state's commitment to equitable infrastructure development across all community sizes. The program’s intent is to offer a "second chance" to those applicants who did not secure funding through the district-level evaluation process. These applications can be forwarded by the District Committees for Small Government consideration. This process is designed to give qualified projects another opportunity for funding and is particularly focused on helping small communities overcome structural disadvantages in accessing state infrastructure funds. Eligible projects generally include road, bridge, water, and wastewater improvements that align with OPWC’s infrastructure investment priorities. To apply, applicants must submit a comprehensive application through the WorksWise platform, ensuring that all documentation required by the Applicant Manual is uploaded by the universal deadline. For FY 27 / Round 40, this includes the Engineer's Plan Status Certification and CFO Local Share Certification, both of which must be submitted by March 31, 2026. Other project-specific documentation may have varying cure period deadlines, communicated individually via WorksWise. The responsibility for a complete and timely submission lies with the applicant, as deficiencies will not be identified by the administrator. Once an application is selected for Small Government consideration, applicants are given a 30-day cure period to adjust and resubmit documents or amend funding requests. This includes the option to alter funding types—such as grants or loans—and to include engineering costs if not permitted by the originating district. Applications are then scored, and composite scores, along with calculated water and wastewater rates (if applicable), are communicated to applicants, who have one week to contest discrepancies. Final funding decisions are made during the Small Government Commission meeting, which is scheduled for May 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. for this round. Awards are announced shortly after, and successful applicants receive a congratulatory email detailing next steps, including agreement release and administration guidance. All awarded projects are published on the OPWC website for public reference. The program operates on an annual cycle, with materials typically released by July 1 each year for the upcoming fiscal round. The Commission is composed of voting members representing various districts and roles—such as village administrators, mayors, and township trustees—ensuring that decisions are reflective of Ohio’s local governance structure. Questions regarding the program can be directed to the Small Government Administrator, Jennifer Hufford, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 614-752-8118.

Applicants must ensure all documents are uploaded to WorksWise—district submission is insufficient.