Rep. Sweeney Votes to Allocate $42.45 Million in State Funds for Economic Growth, Community Development in Cuyahoga County
COLUMBUS - State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Westlake) 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. Bride Rose Sweeney is excited to announce Cuyahoga County will receive $42,450,000.
“As the Ranking Member of the House Finance Committee, I am pleased to deliver these one-time funds that will spur economic development across Northeast Ohio and drive forward real, transformational change to revitalize our communities,” said Rep. Sweeney. “As the process moves forward, I am laser-focused on capitalizing on this once in a generation opportunity to bring home dollars for the people of Cuyahoga County. Many of the projects being funded would not be possible without these strategic investment dollars.”
The $42,450,000 of OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including:
- Cuyahoga County Northcoast Connector - $20,000,000
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum Expansion and Renovation Project - $5,000,000
- Flats River Development - $3,500,000
- West Side Market in Cleveland - $1,400,000
- Irishtown Bend Park - $1,000,000
- Brook Park Community Center Restoration - $1,000,000
- YMCA of Greater Cleveland – New Facility Construction - $1,000,000
- Cleveland Women’s Soccer Stadium - $1,000,000
- Cahoon Park - $1,000,000
- Glenville YMCA - $800,000
- Cleveland Public Square Improvements - $750,000
- Park Synagogue - $750,000
- Ohio Aerospace Institute Sensitive Information Research Facility - $500,000
- The Music Settlement – Gries House Redevelopment - $500,000
- YWCA of Greater Cleveland - $500,000
- Birthing Beautiful Communities Birth Center - $400,000
- Hospice of the Western Reserve Center for Community Engagement and Hospice Care - $500,000
- Valor Acres Brecksville Veterans Affairs Hospital Site Redevelopment - $500,000
- Magnolia Clubhouse - $400,000
- Richmond Heights Salt Bin - $450,000
- Middleburg Heights Central Park Phase 1 - $400,000
- Connecting the Circle - $400,000
- JumpStart Northern Ohio Operations - $500,000
- Olmsted Falls Visibility Project - $200,000
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.