Ashtabula County, OH

05/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/30/2025 13:06

Ashtabula County Secures $15 Million for New Jail Facility After Decades of Effort

The Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners and Ashtabula County Sheriff William Niemi are proud to announce the successful acquisition of $15 million in state funding toward the construction of a new county jail. The State's investment will be matched by $15 million that the County has diligently saved over the past several years.

For more than two decades, the need for a modern jail facility in Ashtabula County has been evident. Despite numerous previous attempts to advance a jail project, progress had remained an obstacle due to funding challenges.

"This is a transformational moment for Ashtabula County," said Board President J.P. Ducro IV. "This funding allows us to move forward. It is a testament to the persistence of county leaders, the support of our Sheriff, and the responsible financial planning that made a local match possible. I am especially pleased that we can now build a facility that should help reduce recidivism and be much more operationally efficient for decades to come."

The current jail, constructed in 1978, has long been outdated and insufficient to meet the demands of law enforcement. Safety concerns, overcrowding, and compliance issues have made a replacement a growing necessity.

"This is a major win!", said Vice-President Casey R. Kozlowski, "We're incredibly grateful to the State for awarding the full amount of our grant request. This funding allows us to move forward with the jail project-finally addressing a decades long issue in Ashtabula County. This is real progress that will enhance public safety for everyone. The next steps begin now."

The new facility will be designed with efficiency, safety, and long-term functionality in mind. Planning and design phases are expected to begin shortly, with community input and transparency at the forefront.

"Securing this funding is a major step forward for our county," said Commissioner Kathryn Whittington. "This project isn't just about building a new facility-it's about making a smart investment in public safety, creating a safe environment for inmates and staff and serving the needs our community."

Sheriff William Niemi expressed his gratitude for the collaboration and foresight that have made this announcement possible.

"This is a historic day for public safety in Ashtabula County," Sheriff Niemi said. "The new facility will give us the tools we need to run a secure, effective operation and provide the level of care and accountability the people of this county expect. I thank the Commissioners, our partners at the state level, and the people of Ashtabula County for supporting this long-overdue step forward."

Further updates on the project timeline, design process, and community engagement opportunities will be shared in the coming months as the project moves forward.

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