As part of the Appalachian Grant Program, Gov. Mike DeWine is announcing the availability of $152 million in grants to fund economic development projects along the Appalachian region of the Ohio River.

The projects will focus on revitalizing communities along the water front - which includes cities like East Liverpool and Wellsville.

DeWine plans to announce the funds May 6 in Portsmouth, Proctorville and Marietta. He will be joined by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Ohio Department Director Lydia Mihalik, according to a news release from the Governor's Office.

The grant program was developed to infuse $500 million in Ohio's Appalachian region that includes 32 counties including Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana.

To date, DeWine's office is reporting that $298 million has been awarded, including $64 million to improve healthcare access and $154 million to make improvements to historical downtown districts.