Ghanbari, Ohio House Approve Historic Capital Budget Bill

June 26, 2024

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COLUMBUS— The Ohio House of Representatives passed Substitute House Bill 2 Wednesday afternoon setting the state’s two-year construction budget for capital projects throughout the state. State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) notes the budget makes historic investments in local community projects.

Ghanbari secured millions in one-time funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund that will directly serve Wood County:

$1,000,000 for the Wood County Engineer Garage and Maintenance Facility (Bowling Green)
$750,000 Wood County Educational Service Center
$600,000 Positive Community Connections Center Project (Bowling Green)
$500,000 Wood County Committee on Aging
$200,000 City of Perrysburg
$100,000 North Baltimore Public Library Emergency Repairs
$100,000 Wood County Public Library Heating Project

In addition to these local investments, Ghanbari also secured the following capital investments that will positively impact Wood county and the surrounding region:

$150,000 for the Recreational Project at the Bowling Green Training and Community Center that would develop a 6 court pickleball complex on the land adjacent
$100,000 for the Cocoon Project that supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence
$300,000 for Walbridge Railway Park

“I appreciate the conversations over the last several months in district and throughout the region that helped inform the legislative budget process,” said Ghanbari. “Having secured millions of dollars’ in funding for Northwest Ohio, this historic capital budget package will further the positive economic growth of our local communities.

Ghanbari also secured millions in one-time funding for Lucas County:

$3,000,000 for the Lucas County Seawall and River Edge Reconstruction Project
$3,00,000 for the Toledo Innovation Center
$2,900,000 for the Inclusive Multigenerational Community and Recreation Center (IMCRC)
$2,700,000 for the Virginia Stranahan Trail and Senior Affordable Housing/Senior Center Development
$2,000,000 for the Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport Terminal Renovation Project
$2,000,000 for the Toledo YWCA Domestic Shelter Project
$1,740,000 for the Toledo Zoo Reptile House
$1,600,000 for the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department Facility Repairs
$950,000 for the Ottawa Park Revitalization Phase 1
$750,000 for the Imagination Station; Toledo Science Center World of Discovery Exhibit
$650,000 for the Homer Hanham Boys and Girls Club Renovation
$650,000 for the Toledo Segate Food Bank
$500,000 for the Pre-Medical and Health Science Academy at Mercy College
$500,000 for the Toledo School for the Performing Arts Replacement Windows
$485,000 for the improvement of the Sylvania Township Safety Training and Ground
$300,000 for the Toledo Safe Haven Ronald McDonald Facility
$300,000 for Whitney Manor
$250,000 for the Toledo Hensville Entertainment District
$175,000 for the Ottawa Hills Walk Path Project
$100,000 for the Lucas County Sherriff Substation Renovation
$100,000 for the Toledo Broadway Commercial Redevelopment Project

The Representative secured the following capital investments for Lucas County as well:

$500,000 for the BGSU Semiconductor and Microfabrication lab
$1,000,000 for the Inclusive Multigenerational Community and Recreation Center
$500,000 to update and repair facilities at the Haroun Barn
$500,000 for the expansion of the Owens Community College Robotics and PLC Lab
$500,000 for the renovation of the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion
$200,000 to expand and make the National Museum of the Great Lakes Second Wave ADA compliant
$200,000 for the Toledo Center for the Performing Arts, specifically to transform the Masonic Temple into a full campus for the arts
$100,000 for the Toledo Lutheran Social Services Expansion Project
$100,00 for safety upgrades and renovations for Toledo’s historic Valentine Theater
$150,000 for the Ohio Guidestone Youth and Family Resiliency Center
$100,000 to upgrade the Collinswood Arts and Center
$500,000 for the Toledo YWCA Domestic Shelter project
$1,250,000 for the Seawall and River Edge Reconstruction project, specifically to address the corrosion, failing, and non-existent seawall of the Maumee river that poses a great threat to natural soils, as well as shipping routes.
$114,000 to make improvements to the Muskingum Behavioral Health facility, supporting those who are on the path to recovery from addiction and other substance use disorders.

Substitute House Bill 2 awaits a signature from the Governor.