New state Rep. Jim Thomas sets priorities
As state representative for the 49th Ohio House District, I plan to focus on four areas.
The first area of focus is economic development. It is very important that quality jobs are available. The Stark Economic Development Board (SEDB) is a key driver of this work.
SEDB is a nonprofit organization that has a mission of expanding and attracting business in Stark County. For example, SEDB is involved with the Hall of Fame Village and the new Tractor Supply and Distribution Center in Navarre. I plan to advocate on behalf of the SEDB and assist in every possible manner.
Also, I plan to advocate on behalf of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, which is a membership organization of more than 1,900 institutions and individuals whose mission is to lead the region in business and community development through collaboration and innovation. I have met and look forward to working with the Stark County Minority Business Association, and the Canton Chamber Government Affairs Committee.
The second area of focus is workforce development in key sectors, including manufacturing. If an item is made in Stark County but sold outside Stark County, then the payment of outside money comes into the community and this results in economic growth.
The Canton Chamber of Commerce has a vice president of education and workforce development. She and her team do excellent work, including assisting the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership (SCMWDP) to receive up to $930,000 over the next 2.5 years as part of the Ohio Manufacturers Association’s $23 million award from the Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan Act Good Jobs Challenge program.
The third area of focus is education, which is fundamental to a prosperous community. Within the first weeks of my term, I plan to meet with the superintendents within the 49th District so I can better understand the current situation.
In the Ohio 2022-2023 operating budget, the Fair School Funding Plan was passed to begin the process of addressing the disparity in school funding. Additional important measures in the budget include direct funding by the state of vouchers and charter schools, the opportunity to establish a new start-up charter school in any district, and the Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Savings Account program.
The fourth area of focus is to advocate for capital and community projects within the 49th District. For example, the Ohio 2022-2023 operating budget allocated $3.4 million to remove materials containing asbestos from the Renkert Building.
This funding was vital to the development of a new hotel in Canton’s Centennial Plaza. In addition, $1.3 million has been allocated for the remediation of environmental contaminants and demolition of the remaining building at Weber Dental Manufacturing Company in Canton.
Also, $500,000 in state funds were recently allocated for the Canton Palace Theatre, approximately $1.5 million for the Jackson Township Amphitheater, and $300,000 for amphitheater restrooms which are scheduled to be built in 2023.
Jim Thomas, a Republican who lives in Jackson Township, was elected last year to serve as the state representative for the 49th District. He began his first term in Ohio House this month.