Ohio House Begins Hearings on the State's Capital Budget

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House Finance Committee began hearings on House Bill 629, containing the State’s Capital Improvement Budget as well as Ohio’s One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund, announced Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord). Among the projects successfully included in HB 629 are funds for improvements to water infrastructure in Concord, the Alliance for Working Together in Mentor, and the Lake Metroparks. 

Created as part of HB 33 (135th General Assembly), the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund is a $700 million fund to support major projects across Ohio that would make long-term impacts on the regions receiving the funds. Lake County will receive over $8.7 million to fund 12 projects including: 

• $1 million for a new fire station in Mentor
• $500,000 for a waterline extension in Concord
• $500,000 to support Phase III of the Lake Metroparks Lakefront Trail

“Thanks to Representative Callender’s support, Lake Metroparks will be able to continue work on the amazing 2-mile lakefront trail between Painesville Twp and Fairport Harbor,” said Lake Metroparks Executive Director Paul Palagyi. “This funding will help build Phase III of the trail which, when complete, will provide access to our greatest natural resource – Lake Erie.”

Also included as part of the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund are projects impacting Northeast Ohio: 

• $7 million for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• $2 million for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
• $365,000 to build an interactive media lab at the Cleveland Institute of Art

“We are so grateful to the Ohio General Assembly for their support and investment in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s historic museum expansion,” said Greg Harris, Executive Director of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. “This project will transform the museum, community, the lakefront, and continue to drive economic growth, which benefits all Ohio. More than half a million visitors are drawn to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame each year generating $225 million and supporting 1,800 Ohio Jobs.”

In total, Northeast Ohio will receive over $100 million from the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund. 

Totaling over $3.5 billion, the State’s Capital Improvement Budget covers projects across the state ranging from supporting Ohio’s public and community colleges to the State’s Park system and local community projects. In addition to Lakeland Community College’s $4.1 million, several Lake County projects received funding including:

• $500,000 for the Alliance for Working Together
• $500,000 in additional funding for the Lake Metroparks Lakefront Trail
• $300,000 for improvements at the Mentor Marina. 

“AWT is extremely grateful for Representative Callender’s past and ongoing leadership and support of our efforts to attract both youth and adults into rewarding careers in manufacturing,” said AWT Executive Director Teresa Simons. 

Other projects funded as part of the State’s Capital Improvement Budget are: 

• $4.6 million for Severance Music Center
• $1 million for renovations at the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Kulas Hall
• $1 million for Science Education Galleries at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

“Ohio has been presented with a historic opportunity to make lasting investments into workforce training, arts and cultural institutions, and our public spaces,” said Callender. “These projects will ensure residents of Ohio will continue to be able to experience Ohio’s lakes and rivers, see world class performances, and find high paying jobs in their communities.”

HB 629 will receive additional hearings prior to an expected floor vote on Wednesday, June 26th.