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The purpose of the rain garden cost-share/reimbursement assistance grant is to financially assist property owners within the participating City/Municipality with the placement of rain gardens on their property. Eligibility for this grant requires that the property be located within the participating location, and the garden completed the current year of application submittal.
As of 2022, participating cities include: Gahanna, New Albany, Westerville, Obetz, Reynoldsburg, Hilliard, and Grove City. Franklin County's unincorporated villages (Blendon, Brown, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Mifflin, Norwich, Perry, Plain, Pleasant, Prairie, Sharon, Truro, Washington) are included.
A rain garden is an attractive landscaped area in a low spot on a property designed to catch stormwater runoff from hard surfaces (i.e., rooftops, driveways, sidewalks). Rain gardens are planted with native perennials, shrubs, or trees that allow runoff to infiltrate naturally into the ground, prevent pollutants from entering our streams, slow the flow of water from a yard during and after a storm, and recharge groundwater. As part of the application process, you are asked to work with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District to help with sizing, location, and planting options. This assistance is available throughout the process of rain garden planning in a remote or onsite manner.
Your participating City/Municipality offers limited grants in an amount not to exceed $250.00, as reimbursement for the purchase of plants, mulch, compost, and drainage hardware for a rain garden on your property. Applications are accepted throughout the year, but funding is limited to first-come, first-served basis for approved applications.
Reimbursement for materials used in your rain garden will be provided after a visit from a Franklin Soil and Water representative to verify that your rain garden has been completed. All plants must be planted and the original receipts from purchases must be submitted to receive reimbursement. Once the rain garden is properly documented, you should receive your reimbursement for the actual documented costs or $250.00, whichever is less, within 30 days. No reimbursement will be provided for items purchased but not planted in the rain garden area.
Pre-screening is required. Please contact Franklin Soil and Water at 614-486-9613 to discuss eligibility.