The Scoop - November 29, 2021

AEP continues to invest in Northwest Ohio.
When transmission lines get to be about 50 years of age, they begin to fail and the number of outages increases, according to Meghan Blankenship, AEP Transmission Outreach Specialist. Meghan told us that's when AEP begins to replace the lines. Current local projects include: 

East Lima-Maddox Creek Transmission Line Project:
•Replacing 30 miles of existing wire on existing towers
•Upgrading local substations

Bluffton Area Improvements Project:
•Building a substation
•Building approximately 5.5 miles of power line
•Rebuilding approximately 3 miles of power line
 
East Lima Station Expansion Project:
Completed work:
•Expanding the station fence around East Lima
•Station upgrades
•Construction on surrounding transmission lines
 
North Delphos-Rockhill Transmission Line Rebuild Project:
•Building 16 miles of transmission line between North Delphos and Rockhill substations.

Meghan says the AEP 5 year forecast for Allen County supports 3,093 jobs with an annual compensation of about $61,000, stimulates nearly $168 million in economic activities across Ohio, and contributes $14 million in total taxes paid to state and local governments.

Also at Monday's meeting, Tim Stanford gave us an update on the Greater Lima Region Park and Amphitheater. Rotary has transferred the land to the City of Lima and is going out to bid. The contractor should be named by the end of December and work can begin immediately. It is hoped that the park and amphitheater will be completed by November 2022. Special thanks to three large donors who presented checks to the club for the project: AEP gave $50,000, Ford Lima Engine Plant gave $20,000 and Premier Bank gave $10,000. Thank you so much for your generosity!

AEP's Joe Rocca with Tim Stanford

Ford Lima Engine Plant's Cindy Wood with Tim Stanford

Premier Bank's Amy Hackenberg and Myron Meas with Tim Stanford