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Rep. Brown Piccolantonio Votes to Allocate $42,000,000 in State Funds for Economic Growth, Community Development for Franklin County

The bipartisan House Bill 2 now heads to the Ohio Senate which needs to approve the funds so they may be distributed to Ohioans
February 7, 2024
Beryl Piccolantonio News

COLUMBUS -  State Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill (HB) 2, appropriating $2B of state funds for economic development and community investments that will help drive economic growth and generate opportunities across Ohio.

HB 2 includes half of the $700M from the One Time Strategic Community Investments Fund (OTSCIF), funding that was set aside in the most recent state operating budget. Rep. Brown Piccolantonio is excited to announce Franklin County will receive $42,000,000. 

“I am proud to have voted in favor of a bill that ensures economic development for communities in Central Ohio and across the state,” said Rep. Brown Piccolantonio. 

The OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including: 

  • $10,000,000 for The Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies
  • $500,000 for Elevate Northland
  • $10,000,000 for the Downtown Columbus Capital Line 
  • $10,000,000 for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra – Music for All

 Additionally, HB 2 includes $1.65B of capital budget funding for the following state entities:

  • $600M for the Facilities Construction Commission (FCC) to provide the state share of project costs to school districts participating in facilities projects overseen by OFCC.
  • $400M for the Public Works Commission to issue grants and loans to local governments for road and bridge projects, fresh water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, storm sewer systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.
  • $397.6M for state-supported higher education institutions to conduct construction of new facilities, major renovations of existing facilities, or basic renovations at public universities and their regional campuses and community colleges. 
  • $250M to support the Local Jail Facility Funding Program in the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), involving the construction and renovation of county jails. 

HB 2 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. Community projects will have additional funding opportunities from the traditional capital budget and the remaining one-time funds.