LISBON — Columbiana County Engineer Bert Dawson received great news this week, announcing Thursday that $1.5 million in federal funds has been secured for the new county garage complex expansion project.

“We’ve been waiting on this for awhile,” Dawson said during a brief conversation about the funding.

Dawson received notice Wednesday from United State Department of Agriculture Rural Development that the funding had been obligated to the county.

“I would like to thank the staff of the USDA-RD, specifically John Miller and Michael Antonville for their persistent work and dedication during this long and drawn-out process,” Dawson said in a written press release.

Dawson noted that Miller is originally from Wellsville.

“The county commissioners are to be commended for having the foresight to provide ARPA funding of $1 million in seed money for the local match that allowed us to secure an additional $1.5 million in federal funds,” he said.

ARPA stands for American Rescue Plan Act. Between the local match and the federal funds, the engineer’s office now has funding of $2.5 million available for the project, which calls for demolition of the old open space structure to be replaced by a new enclosed garage to store plow trucks. The current structure with a dirt floor dates back to the 1930’s.

In March, commissioners awarded the design/build contract for the new storage building to C. Tucker Cope & Associates, Inc. of Columbiana for $1,388,106.

According to the press release, the new structure “will be a 188-foot by 80-foot pre-engineered metal building for vehicle storage with climate-controlled environment, fire protection sprinkler system, reinforced concrete floors, 15 bays with doors and openers, and insulated metal wall panels.

Plans call for construction to begin in January, but will require demolition of the old one.

“This new garage structure will benefit and serve the residents of Columbiana County for generations to come,” the press release said.