COLUMBUS — State Representative Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) has announced that the State Controlling Board approved the release of $2,303,860 for construction of the Shawnee State Park Marina Improvements Project in Scioto County.

According to documents from the Office of Budget and Management, as a result of the project and state assistance provided, the public marina will be renovated, including the replacement of floating docks, anchorage systems, dock utility services and other associated infrastructure.

Current docks have deteriorated due to age and several sections are not able to be securely reopened for public use next season.

Improvements to modernize and allow for better access for the disabled will also be made to existing land-side restrooms and the parking lot.

“It’s good that we are finally going to renovate Shawnee State Marina,” said Johnson. “With Shawnee State Forest and the Ohio River, we have premium natural resources in southern Ohio and we must do all we can to encourage tourism, development, and jobs. I am also working hard to get much needed improvements done to the Holiday Point Marina in Franklin Furnace. These key infrastructure improvements will do much to rejuvenate our recreational boating and tourism industries.”

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources parks Website, Shawnee Marina has 75 seasonal docks. Shawnee State Park is situated in the Appalachian foothills and spans 1,095 acres. It is located inside the Shawnee State Forest which has 63,000 acres, and an 8,000 acre wilderness area.