Jeff Benton

I was honored to participate in the ribbon cutting at the new Mill on Flax earlier this week

It's a transformative mixed use project (162 reasonably priced, nice apartments and 10k square feet of commercial space with a clubhouse and a pool) right on the Olentangy River across from Mingo Park. It's a great addition to the east side of Delaware and near downtown. It also shows how collaboration with many public and private organizations can accomplish amazing things working together.

What a great way to celebrate our nation’s independence: participating in the Sunbury Parade! I was honored to join veterans, several fellow elected officials, talented high school band members and athletes, our first responders and more! Our grandkids helped get the candy ready to pass out to the many families lining the streets.

Happy to announce that we selected 14 great community organizations to support. These Community Enhancement Grants help non-profit entities do more to achieve their respective missions.

The County Commissioners have announced the recipients of their 2023 Community Enhancement Grants. The recipients, project summaries and award amounts are:

• Boardman Arts Park, Inc. – design phase of a performance-stage project: $10,000
• Central Ohio Symphony – Link Up education program for county fourth-graders: $7,100
• Common Ground Free Store Ministries – development of a mobile app for their clients: $8,000
• Delaware County Community Chorus – purchase of sheet music for 2023-24 concert season: $3,400
• Delaware County Cultural Arts Center – repairs to The Arts Castle’s exterior masonry: $23,500
• Delaware County Historical Society – installation of an accessible restroom in the Historic Jail: $10,800
• Family Promise – funding for the Picnics on the Porch program: $14,700
• Ohio Fallen Heroes Memorial – installation of new monument: $5,222.60
• People In Need, Inc. – expansion of parking lot and driveway: $43,400
• Recreation Unlimited Farm and Fun, Inc. – improvements to Lake Crum: $18,073
• Strand Theatre and Cultural Arts Association – purchase of audio equipment: $7,400
• Stratford Ecological Center – purchase of utility vehicle: $18,999
• Unity Community Center – purchase of equipment for after-school STEAM education program: $13,000
• Westerville Area Resource Ministry – installation of electrical outlet for cooler: $1,104