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Williams Brings Millions to Greater Toledo Area with Passing of Strategic Community Investment Fund

February 7, 2024
Josh Williams News

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today approved the historic Strategic Community Investment Fund, as part of Substitute House Bill 2, announced State Representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.). 

The Strategic Community Investment Fund includes $350 million for statewide, regional, and local projects, more than $13.3 million of which will be directed toward Lucas County and the surrounding communities.  The fund was established under the state’s main operating budget passed in 2023 and includes excess funding from the previous fiscal year.

“With these funds we can really target areas that may have been passed up in previous capital budget years,” said Williams. “We can now transform our communities to help establish a brighter future for the next generation by improving these projects that will give back to everyone in the 41st House District.”

Williams was able to secure the following one-time funding for projects in Lucas County:

  • $3 million to Toledo Metroparks to establish a seawall on the banks of the Maumee River, protecting from natural erosion and critical shipping routes for lake liners;  
  • $1.7 million for the upgrade of the Virginia Stranahan Trail and the construction of a new senior housing facility in Lakewood;
  • $1.6 million to renovate and repair Toledo Fire and Rescue Department facilities, ensuring public safety;
  • $1 million to the Toledo Express Airport for the renovation of the passenger terminal;
  • $950,000 to revitalize Ottawa Park, to build an open air structure for the ice skating rink and a bathroom, making it the only open air ice rink in all Northwest Ohio;
  • $850,000 to provide significant renovation and improvements to infrastructure at the Toledo Zoo so the public can have greater accessibility to the animal exhibits;
  • $650,000 to the Toledo Seagate Food Bank for infrastructure repairs, including a new freezer to double storage capacity of donations;
  • $485,000 for improvements to the Sylvania Township Safety Training Grounds, so local fire departments may be better trained;
  • $250,00 to the Toledo School for the Performing Arts for the replacement of the windows in the original portion of the building;
  • $100,000 to the Bons Secours Mercy Health Foundation to install an LED lighting system to illuminate the iconic glass city mural.

In addition to these local investments, the legislation also included additional statewide capital investments of: 

  • $600 million for the School Building Program Assistance Fund;
  • $400 million for the Public Works Commission Local Public Infrastructure and State Capital Improvement Program;
  • $397.6 million for higher education projects around the state;
  • $250 million for local jail construction across Ohio.

These investments will be incorporated as part of the greater State Capital Budget bill, a two-year construction budget for capital projects.