CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — It’s been over a month since Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the state of a major funding initiative across twelve counties to create new opportunities and experiences.
As part of the Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations initiative, under the larger Appalachian Community Grant Program, more than $154 million will be used to boost 30 economic development projects and historic downtown districts.
More than $35 million was awarded to the City of Chillicothe in Ross County.
Renovations are underway at the old National Guard armory which will eventually be home to a visitors center for Ohio’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“These are custom-made for this building. There aren’t another set of doors like these in the world. These are made just for this building. They’re about 350 pounds a piece,” said Brian Campbell.
Campbell is from the region and owns BMC Maintenance & Fabrication.
He and his team created and installed the new doors at the armory inside Yoctangee Park.
These days, the building is used for community league games, meetings and it functions as a rec center.
However, deep inside, the walls still speak volumes of history.
“This is where they stored their ammo and their guns,” Campbell said as he opened a heavy door to where the guns and ammunition were once held.
It’s a project that combines the past with the future.
“Very historic. It’s pretty neat to see. If somebody hasn’t seen it, it’s worth a trip just to check it out. It really is,” he said.
“We’re just excited to bring people to the region and tell the story we have to offer here in Chillicothe,” said Chillicothe’s Mayor Luke Feeney.
Feeney said construction is expected to be done by 2026 and marks a special 100th birthday for the old armory.
“The really exciting thing is just a couple of years ago we completed our first comprehensive plan for the community in over 70 years,” Feeney said.
The city had a plan ready to go.
The armory will transform into a Welcome Center as people head north up State Route 104.
“The thing we’re most excited about in Chillicothe in the last year is the World Heritage designation for the UNESCO site. Which people kind of know them as the mounds. Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks. So when that got on the world map last September, we really put into overdrive how we were going to receive guests from across the world,” he said.
The surrounding area will also hold an amphitheater, a convention and visitors bureau, and a community center.
Campbell and his team have worked on several city projects over the years, but this one is once in a lifetime.
“It’s going to be something that will be here long after I’m gone. I’m really proud and privileged to be a part of it. It’s something you can say for a business owner, it’s part of Chillicothe, it’s our future,” Campbell said.
Other historical site that will see improvements from the funding include the historic Monroe Theater in Woodsfield, the Black Horse Underground Railroad Museum in Morristown, and the Serpent Mound in Adams County.