State's Capital Budget Signed into law

COLUMBUS—Following concurrent votes in the Ohio House and Senate, House Bill 2, which contains the state’s Capital Improvement Budget as well as Ohio’s one-time Strategic Community Investment Fund, has been signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, announced State Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord). Among the projects successfully included in House Bill 2 are funds for improvements to water infrastructure in Concord, the Alliance for Working Together in Mentor, and the Lake Metroparks. 

Created as part of House Bill 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 communities. 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; and
• $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 Paul Palagyi, Executive Director of Lake Metroparks. “This funding will help build Phase III of the trail which, when complete, will provide access to our greatest natural resource – Lake Erie.”

“We thank and appreciate the support of State Representative Callender and State Senator Cirino for their investment in our community,” said Amy Lucci, Concord Township Trustee.

Also included as part of the Strategic Community Investment Fund are projects that will impact northeast Ohio, including: 

• $7 million for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame;
• $2 million for the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo; and
• $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 then 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; and
• $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 Teresa Simons, Executive Director of AWT. 

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; and
• $1 million for Science Education Galleries at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

“The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is completing a once-in-a-generation transformation of its campus, connecting families throughout the state and region to the natural world,” said Sonia Winner, President and CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. “When the project is completed this December, we will present a natural history museum like no other. We are extremely grateful to the State of Ohio for its tremendous investment in our transformation.”

“House Bill 2 represents a historic investment into Ohio’s infrastructure, workforce, and local communities,” said Callender. “These projects will improve the lives of countless Ohioans by ensuring they have access to training for high paying jobs, world class arts and culture, and public spaces to pass along to their children and grandchildren.”