Callender Supports Upcoming Capital Bill, Advocates for Lake County Projects

State Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) announces and supports the upcoming two-year state construction budget, which includes funding for a variety of initiatives across the state as well as aid for local projects throughout Lake County. The capital bill is being included in Senate Bill 310, which is currently pending in a House-Senate conference committee.

Callender was also appointed today to serve as a member of the Capital Budget Conference Committee to work on and move the capital budget bill forward through the Legislature this week.

“Senate Bill 310 will contain appropriations for critical infrastructure and construction projects that are very important to our communities,” said Callender. “This body will be an important part in negotiating what will be included in the final bill, I’m grateful that I get to be directly involved in that process.”

In total, Lake County is expected to receive $3.4 million through the local projects portion of the legislation. Local projects funded in the bill include:

• Springbrook Gardens Park Recreational Facility, $500,000;
• Chagrin River and Lake Erie Boat Access, $475,000;
• Fairport Harbor Docks and Marina Project, $400,000;
• Magic Mile Trail, $300,000;
• Holden Arboretum, $200,000;
• Perry Township Lakeshore Improvement Project, $200,000;
• Willoughby Amphitheater, $300,000;
• Unionville Tavern Improvements, $125,000;
• Lakeland Community College Northeast Ohio Workforce Transformation Facility, $500,000;
• Lakeland Community College HOLA Commercial Kitchen Business Incubator, $75,000;
• Cedar Hills Transformation Camp, $250,000; and
• Forbes House Domestic Violence Project, $120,000.

In addition to the local projects, more than $4 million has been proposed for maintenance and renovations at Lakeland Community College. As the primary sponsor of HB 582, the House’s initial capital appropriations bill, Rep. Callender has been heavily involved in the capital appropriations process since the beginning of the year.

Statewide, the bill includes more than $2 billion in new capital appropriations for a wide variety of infrastructure across Ohio. This is in addition to more than $500 million previously approved by lawmakers for schools and local infrastructure projects.

Statewide highlights include:

• $452 million for the Department of Higher Education, which includes funding for traditional and regional campuses and community colleges;
• $300 million for K-12 school building construction and improvements;
• $10 million for safety grants for K-12 schools and Ohio’s colleges and universities;
• $280 million for the Ohio Public Works Commission, which supports a variety of infrastructure initiatives, including local water, sewer and road projects;
• $62.5 million for the Clean Ohio Program; and
• $50 million for county jail projects. Funding will be allocated through a competitive, needs-based process.

The legislation awaits further consideration within the conference committee but is expected to receive final consideration by the legislature in session later this week.