Abrams Highlights Funding in State Capital Budget

June 1, 2022

COLUMBUS - State lawmakers today approved House Bill 687, legislation proposing Ohio’s new two-year state construction budget. Funding is included to aid local projects in the 29th House District.

“This state construction budget will support our economy and future growth by investing in local projects. It’s a very important budget bill and I was proud to support it,” said Abrams. “Not only am I looking forward to money for Western Hamilton County, but the major initiatives also funded by the bill such as school safety grants.”

The 29th House District received $400,000 to finance phase three of the Fort Colerain project. Phase three of the ongoing project includes the replacement of the existing toddler park, landscaping and other critical work to connect with the new playground with Phase I of Fort Colerain.

Overall, Hamilton County was appropriated over $21 million. Here are a few of the projects that received funding:

$750,000, American Sign Museum
$250,000, Center for Addiction Treatment Recovery House
$1,625,000, Blue Line Regional Training Center
$1,200,000, Cincinnati Museum Center STEM: Biomedical & Early Childhood Exhibits
$800,000, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
$900,000, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Pedestrian Bridge
$2,000,000, Findlay Market Garage
$600,000, Sharonville Convention Center Exhibit Hall - Expansion Project
$300,000, Mayerson JCC Expansion
$750,000, Delhi Towne Square
$150,000, Forest Park Central Park Improvements
$150,000, La Soupe Basement Expansion
$650,000, Green Township Veterans Park Enhancement
$300,000, Lincoln Heights Memorial Athletic Field Renovations
$75,000, Loveland Heights Playground Improvements
$650,000, Green Township Veterans Park Enhancement

In addition to local projects, the measure also supports collective state efforts. The highlights include:

$100 million for school safety grants, which will help public and private schools address local building security needs.
$600 million for school building construction, renovation and repair through the state’s school facilities program
$457 million for colleges and universities
$400 million for the Public Works Commission to help communities with local road, bridge, water and sewer projects
$587 million for state parks and nature preserves
$50 million for the construction and renovation of county jails. Priority would be given to facilities with the greatest needs, as well as projects that would substantially improve the condition, safety and operational ability of the jail.

Abrams drew special attention to the $100 million for school safety grants, noting the importance of public safety.

“As lawmakers, it’s our responsibility to work for the safety of our communities. I’m grateful that this budget was approached with that frame of mind,” she said.

The funding further expands on public safety by collaborating with the Ohio Attorney General to provide appropriations for Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations and law enforcement facilities.

The budget also delivers on another key issue: job creation.

The legislation includes a $1.2 billion incentive package for the Intel project. The technology company is planning a $20 billion capital investment in building two semiconductor factories in Licking County, east of Columbus. The project will create 3,000 high-tech, high-wage jobs, plus 7,000 construction jobs over the course of the build.

The measure now heads to Governor DeWine’s desk to be signed into law.