Skip to main content
State Seal State Seal State Seal
Home Button Home Button Home Button
 
 
 

Rep. Weinstein Votes to Allocate $15,000,000 in State Funds for Economic Growth, Community Development for Summit 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
Casey Weinstein News

COLUMBUS -  State Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) 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. Weinstein is excited to announce that the cities of the 34th district will receive $13,200,000 out of the $15,000,000 approved by the House for Summit County.

“I am proud to deliver these unprecedented investments that will have a transformative impact for the people of the 34th district,” said Rep. Weinstein 

The $13,200,000 of OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including: 

  • Cuyahoga Falls Regional Fire Training Complex $1,500,000
  • Hudson Inclusive Playground $500,000
  • Akron-Canton Airport West Side Development for Aeronautic Activity $1,250,000
  • Cascade Plaza $2,500,000
  • Akron Art Museum - Center for Digital Discovery $2,000,000
  • Akron Zoo Veterinary Hospital $1,750,000
  • Akron Community Health Center Addiction One Campus Expansion $1,250,000
  • Middle School Trades Education Center in Summit County $750,000
  • Child Guidance and Family Solutions – MultiCampus $450,000

 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, freshwater 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.

“Nothing is more critical to our workforce development than supporting our universities. I am proud to deliver these transformative investments in our great higher education institutions and I am so excited for the huge positive impact they will have on our students,” said Rep. Weinstein.

The amounts awarded to higher education institutions in regional proximity to the 34th district are: 

  • University of Akron $16,937,372
  • Kent State University $29,149,650

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.