Representative Swearingen Announces $4.3 Million Investment into Erie and Ottawa Counties

COLUMBUS – House Bill 377, sponsored by State Representative D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), was signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine today.

House Bill 337 appropriates funding that will be disbursed to local governments in accordance with federal legislation. This funding can be used by local governments to support law enforcement, improve roads, and provide other needed investments to their community’s safety and infrastructure.  Originally, Ohio Townships were not included in these funds, but Representative Swearingen ensured that the 89th District’s townships, in addition to all other local governments, would be eligible for the funds through the language in House Bill 377.

“It is my hope that local governments will use these resources for one-time investments to benefit our region, such as roads, bridges, and water and sewer projects, and as a result lower future taxpayer costs.” said Swearingen. 

The need to clarify that Townships are eligible for these dollars is not unique to Ohio; communities in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota are all facing this problem as well.