Rep. Liston Announces Passage of Final State Capital Budget, Securing Transformative Community Investments in Franklin County

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Liston (D-Dublin) today announced the passage of House Bill (HB) 2, the state's biennial state capital budget, in both the Ohio House of Representatives & Senate. The record-setting $6.2B investment makes appropriations for state-owned infrastructure, colleges, universities, and school districts as well as other community projects. 

In addition to the $3.51B in traditional capital funds and a $1.98B appropriation for ongoing projects, HB 2 includes an additional $700M in state funds that will be directly invested into transformative community projects designed to generate further development & economic opportunity across the state. These state funds were able to be set aside due to the influx of federal relief dollars that helped to supplement the state’s balance sheet during the most recent state operating budget.

Rep. Liston helped secure $100.1M for Franklin County. 

“Ensuring that these projects get the funds they need is a crucial step in ensuring our local communities can thrive,” said Rep. Liston.

The $100.1M will be distributed to the following Franklin County organizations:

·         The Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies: $20M

·         Columbus Symphony Orchestra – Music for All: $18.5M

·         Downtown Columbus Capital Line: $10M

·         Heritage Trail Expansion: $8M

·         John Glenn International Airport Improvements: $7.5M

·         OP Chaney Grain Elevator Restoration: $2.8M

·         Nationwide Arena Modernization: $2M

·         Adaptive Sports Connection Power of Ability Initiative: $1.65M

·         Unverferth House Revitalization and Expansion Campaign: $1.5M

·         Downtown Security Command Center: $1.5M

·         Columbus Museum of Art Upgrades: $1.25M

·         Historic Dublin Riverfront Revitalization: $1.23M

·         Westland Mall Renovations: $1M

·         Heartland Music Incubator: $1M

·         The Buckeye Ranch: $1M

·         Norwich Township Fire Department Station 84: $1M

·         Hilliard First Responders Park: $800.5K

·         Upper Arlington Riverside Drive Shared Use Path: $750K

·         Green Lawn Cemetery Chapel: $750K

·         Heinzerling Facility Improvements: $750K

·         Whitehall Police Department Emergency Facility: $605,220

·         Knoll View Place: $600K

·         Canal Winchester McGill Park: $600K

·         Tolles Cybersecurity Lab Renovation: $600K

·         National Center for Urban Solutions Facility: $500K

·         Scioto Rise Place: $500K

·         Central Presbyterian Church Renovation (CAPA): $500K

·         Netcare Facility Improvements: $500K

·         Van Buren Center Essential Renovation: $500K

·         Franklin Park Conservatory - Wolfe Palm House and Davis Showhouse: $500K

·         Vista village: $500K

·         Mid-Ohio Food Collective Eastland Prosperity Center: $500K

·         LifeTown Kindness Center: $500K

·         LifeTown Columbus: The Kindness Center: $500K

·         Edison Welding Institute Renovations: $500K

·         REV1 Ventures Modern Innovation Center and Incubator: $500K

·         Elevate Northland: $500K

·         Dublin Brand Road Pedestrian Tunnel Flood Mitigation: $468,K

·         Linden Green Line Trail Expansion: $400K

·         Maryhaven Residential Treatment Facility Improvements: $400K

·         City of Grove City Town Center Playground: $400K

·         OZEM Gardner House Rehabilitation: $375K

·         Somali Community Link Center: $350K

·         Final Third Foundation's Pathways Park Facility Development: $300K

·         PAST Foundation - Advanced Manufacturing Fabrication Lab (Fab Lab): $300K

·         Memorial Wall - Lockbourne/Rickenbacker: $250K

·         St. Vincent Behavioral Health Project: $250K

·         Childhood League Center: $250K

·         Lower Lights Christian Health Center: $250K

·         PrimaryOne Health Specialty Access Project: $250,K

·         The Refuge: $250K

·         The Refuge- New Building: $250K

·         Tobacco Treatment Center of Ohio: $250K

·         Village of Minerva Park Trail Improvement Project: $250K

·         Green Lawn Cemetery Huntington Chapel Restoration Project: $250K

·         JCC of Greater Columbus: $243K

·         Whetstone Park of Roses: $232K

·         Tawnya Salyer Memorial Statue: $200K

·         Central Ohio Fire Museum Restoration: $200K

·         Shadowbox Expansion: $200K

·         Sanctuary Night- Expanding to Meet the Need: $200K

·         Brobst Park Improvements: $200K

·         Grandview Heights Fire EMS Police Facility: $200K

·         Grandview Heights McKinley Field Park: $200K

·         Columbus Urban League Career Connect Hub: $150K

·         Boys and Girls Club of J. Ashburn: $138,585

·         National Veterans Memorial and Museum Core Improvements: $100K

·         Livingston Avenue Community New Direction Project: $100K

·         Northern Lights Community Center: $100K

·         Franklin County Fairgrounds 4H Horse Barns: $100K

·         Westerville Area Resource Ministry: $61K

·         CRIS Facilities: $40K

·         VFW Roof Repairs Reynoldsburg Post 9473: $32,695

·         STEAM and Sensory Motor/Stress Relief for Children and Teachers: $25K

Additionally, HB 2 includes approximately $1.6B of capital budget funding for the following state entities:

• $600M to provide funding for K-12 school classroom facility projects overseen by OFCC.
• $575M 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.
• $415.7M 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.

HB 2 now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.