WATERLOO — A pair of federal grants awarded to the Symmes Township Trustees was used to purchase equipment and build a new building.

Symmes Township Trustees Vice President Cecil Mays said the grants – one USDA Rural Development Grant and one Community Development Block (CDBG) Grant – were badly needed. Symmes Township is not highly funded because Wayne National Forest comprises a majority of the township’s land.

“On behalf of the trustees I would like to thank the (Lawrence County Commissioners) for their help getting this grant,” Mays said. “They helped us with all the paperwork and signed off on what we needed to get the grants.”

The Rural Development Grant of $50,000 went toward the purchase of a 2000 model International Truck and a 2013 model Case 580 Super N backhoe. The trustees had to pay $20,000 toward the purchase of both machines, Mays said, which has already been paid in full.

The Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization administered the $115,000 CDBG funds, of which $111,000 was used to build a new community building.

“It is used as a voting place and a place for community meetings,” Mays said. “We have our trustees meeting there and senior citizens use it for Christmas dinners. It could be used for more in the future with approval from trustees.”

The Symmes Township Trustees are Ronald Hatfield, president; Mays; and Rick Carpenter. Fiscal officer is Patty Belville.