MIFFLIN – Police officers in the Village of Mifflin are now equipped with safe and reliable communication equipment, thanks to a quick turnaround grant provided by the Ashland County Community Foundation.
Toward the end of 2025, time was running out for the department to be able to safely continue use of its existing portable radios, police Chief Wayne Liggett said. The State of Ohio was requiring all departments to switch to Multi-Agency Radio Communication System radios by Jan. 1.
Without the new MARCS radios, Mifflin’s first responders would not be able to quickly communicate with the Ashland County Sherriff’s Office.
When Liggett turned to Ashland County Community Foundation for assistance, Chief Operating Officer Kristin Aspin was impressed with his persistence in seeking potential funding from a variety of sources.
“He was doing all he could, but the end of the year was approaching, and thankfully, because of the generosity of our donors, we had the funds available to quickly support the entire project for the village,” Aspin said.
“We knew this was a vital need for the safety of Ashland County residents, and for us it was a way to make a big impact in a small community.”
With an award of $7,200 from the foundation’s Strategic Grants pool of unrestricted grant dollars, the foundation was able to outfit the department with three MARCS radios.
In a show of gratitude, Liggett stopped by ACCF this week to show off his new portable radio and present the Foundation with a framed certificate of appreciation.
“We’re honored to be the stewards of donor dollars, and that puts us in the wonderful position of being able to make things like this happen throughout Ashland County, not only during our grant cycles, but all year round,” said Community Engagement Director County McNaull, who accepted the certificate on behalf of the foundation.
“Being able to meet needs like this and to experience the appreciation our grant recipients have makes our jobs here so rewarding.”
For more information about grants from Ashland County Community Foundation, nonprofit organizations and other qualifying entities may contact Kristin Aspin at kristin@ashlandforgood.org.
To become a donor, contact President/CEO Jim Cutright at cutty@ashlandforgood.org or donate online at www.ashlandforgood.org.
About Ashland County Community Foundation: Ashland County Community Foundation advances philanthropy and improves the quality of life in Ashland County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. ACCF has awarded over $38 million in scholarships, grants and distributions.