Holmes County Moves Forward With Major Charm Streetscape Project

Holmes County leaders and local business owners took a key step toward a long discussed streetscape and pedestrian safety project for the village of Charm when commissioners approved a resolution to apply for federal Transportation Alternatives Program funding on November 15. The proposed Charm Pedestrian Improvement Project is planned for State Route 557 and would include lane widening, dedicated lanes and facilities for bicycles and horse drawn buggies, sidewalks and other streetscape and safety upgrades.

The overall budget for the project is approximately $6.5 million. The county faces an 80 to 20 federal to local split, which would require a roughly $1.2 million local match. The Charm Merchants Group Inc. has committed to providing that local contribution, removing a key financial obstacle to the grant application. The project application will be administered by the Ohio Department of Transportation and must be submitted by November 30.

County officials and local stakeholders who attended recent commissioners meetings laid out timeline, design and grant strategy details. Holmes County Engineer Chris Young joined representatives from Keim and the owner of Charm Pizza to discuss implementation logistics. Commissioners said they will aggressively pursue additional grant sources, including support from state representatives and federal Appalachian programs, to offset any remaining local burden and to secure long term funding stability.

For residents the project aims to address both daily safety and the distinctive transportation needs of Holmes County. State Route 557 serves as Charm’s main corridor and accommodates a mix of automobiles, bicycles and traditional horse drawn buggies used by many local families and visitors. Planned features such as dedicated buggy lanes and improved sidewalks are designed to lower conflict points, reduce congestion during peak travel periods and improve pedestrian access to businesses.

Local business leaders have framed the project as both a safety initiative and an economic investment in the village center. Streetscape improvements are expected to make the corridor more attractive to shoppers and visitors, while careful design and coordination will be required to manage construction impacts on traffic and commerce during work phases.

The county will now advance the TAP application and pursue complementary funding. With a short window before the November 30 deadline, local leaders and state partners will need to move quickly to finalize plans and demonstrate community support. If funded, the Charm Pedestrian Improvement Project could serve as a model for balancing rural transportation realities with broader goals for active mobility and commercial vitality.