Rep. Thomas Votes to Allocate $42,000,000 in State Funds for Economic Growth, Community Development for Hamilton 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

Cecil Thomas News

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Cecil Thomas yesterday 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. Cecil Thomas is excited to announce Hamilton County will receive $42,000,000 to improve education, health, and economic growth in the region.

“These funds will help galvanize transformational one-time investments being made in Hamilton County,” said Rep. Thomas. “By offsetting costs, OTSCIF funds will fast-track local projects that may have taken years to complete. All Ohioans will benefit from the economic opportunities these projects are bringing, including my constituents in the Southwest region.”

The $42,000,000 of OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including:

$22,000,000 to Hamilton County Convention Center District Development
$8,000,000 to Riverbend 2.0
$8,000,000 to University of Cincinnati Health
$4,000,000 to Xavier University College of Osteopathic Medicine

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, including the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati State Community College, 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.