Eighteen Economic Development Organizations to Grow Community Opportunities with 2026 AEP Ohio LEAP Grants

GAHANNA, Ohio — AEP Ohio is announcing the 2026 recipients of its Local Economic Advancement Program (LEAP) grants. The 18 selected organizations will receive more than $461,000 combined to 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 following local economic development organizations will receive a LEAP grant this year:

• The Cambridge Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation will develop a business recruitment and quality of life video that will be used on social media and websites.
• The city of Canton will create a strategic plan for developing its downtown.
• The Holmes County Economic Development Council will conduct a countywide wage and benefits survey.
• The Jackson County Economic Development Partnership will redesign and realign its website.
• The Jefferson County Port Authority will develop a strategic revitalization plan for Jefferson County.
• The Lancaster Port Authority will help create an economic development strategic plan.
• The Lawrence Economic Development Corporation will support architectural design, engineering and permitting for a new spec building.
• Ohio Southeast Economic Development will use its grant for organizational funding.
• The Regional Growth Partnership will use its grant for organizational funding.
• Team NEO will launch a pilot program to redevelop legacy industrial buildings.
• The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation will enhance local engagement through the Tuscarawas County Community Capacity and Strategic Development Initiative.
• The University of Rio Grande will use its grant for outreach and marketing of a spec building and the Dan Evans Industrial Park.
• The Wayne County Economic Development Council will redevelop its website into a business engagement platform.
• The Defiance County Community Improvement Corporation will launch a multimedia workforce recruitment initiative.
• The Mid-Ohio Development Exchange will offer tailored training to champions for the local economy.
• The Paulding County Community Improvement Corporation will support engineering and administration for Antwerp Square, a 94-acre mixed-use development with affordable housing and commercial space.
• The Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation will redevelop its website.
• The Wyandot County Collaboration will create and implement a new Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Ashland, Crawford, Richland and Wyandot counties.

To learn more about AEP Ohio’s economic development support in the communities we serve, visit AEPOhio.com/EconomicDevelopment.

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About AEP Ohio
AEP Ohio is based in Gahanna, Ohio, and is a unit of American Electric Power. AEP Ohio provides electricity to 1.5 million customers across 61 counties. News and information about AEP Ohio can be found at AEPOhio.com.

About AEP
American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We plan to invest $78 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 18,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 252,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 32,000 megawatts of diverse owned and contracted generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.