Pavliga Supports Capital Bill Providing Millions in Local Projects

State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) announces House Bill 687, also known as the “capital bill,” has passed out of both chambers of the General Assembly. The legislation includes the two-year state construction budget that contains funding for a variety of initiatives across the state and aid for local projects throughout the 75th Ohio House District. 

Pavliga voted in favor of the legislation on Wednesday in support of Portage County projects and others across Ohio.

“I have been working with entities in Portage County over the last few months to secure this very important funding,” Pavliga said. “These dollars will be a multifaceted boost for jobs, higher education institutions and our parks and communities.”

Local community and agency projects funded within the bill include:

·         Streetsboro Industrial Park - $250,000

·         Rootstown Community Park and Gracie Field Paving - $120,000

·         Portage Bike and Hike Trail - Mill Race Segment in Kent - $200,000

·         Salmon Carter House Ravenna - $625,000

·         Village of Garrettsville Cemetery - $25,000

·         Kent State University - $23,513,475

·         Northeast Ohio Medical University - $1,753,631

Statewide, the bill commits $3.5 billion in new capital appropriations, which includes $100 million for school safety grants that will help public and private schools address local building security needs. 

Other highlights of the bill include: 

•                                     $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; and

•                                     $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.

Additionally, the bill provides approximately $1.2 billion for the Intel semiconductor manufacturing plant, which will support $20 billion in capital investment and create approximately 3,000 tech jobs, 7,000 construction jobs and tens of thousands of additional support jobs.

After being approved by the General Assembly, the legislation now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.