Rep. McNally Announces Passage of Final State Capital Budget, Securing Transformative Community Investments in Mahoning. Columbiana Counties

June 26, 2024

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced the passage of House Bill (HB) 2, the state's biennial state capital budget, in both the Ohio House of Representatives & Senate. The record-setting $6.2B investment makes appropriations for state-owned infrastructure, colleges, universities, and school districts as well as other community projects.

In addition to the $3.51B in traditional capital funds and a $1.98B appropriation for ongoing projects, HB 2 includes an additional $700M in state funds that will be directly invested into transformative community projects designed to generate further development & economic opportunity across the state. These state funds were able to be set aside due to the influx of federal relief dollars that helped to supplement the state’s balance sheet during the most recent state operating budget.

“I am extremely proud of the advocacy of our region and the work we have collectively put in so that our local community projects received the attention of the state. I’ll always hope and work for more for our great Valley but tens of millions of dollars is nothing to balk at,” said Rep. McNally. “My office will continue being available for any and all local efforts to seek state resources beyond the passage of this bill.”

Rep. McNally helped secure $12,705,498 for Youngstown State University in addition to $19,348,661 in funds that will be distributed to several local entities within Mahoning and Columbiana Counties including:

$2,900,000 for the Columbiana County Annex/Drug Task Force Building
$2,500,000 for the Utica Shale Academy Improvements
$1,500,000 for the Animal Charity of Ohio Infrastructure Expansion
$1,000,000 for the East Palestine Village Safety Complex
$1,000,000 for the Community Learning Center
$875,000 for the West Branch Regional Community Education and Wellness Training Center in Mahoning County
$750,000 for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society Expansion and Improvement
$700,000 for the Penguin City Brewing Company Upgrade Project
$660,000 for the Campbell Access and Safety Project
$650,000 for the Mahoning County Veterans Center
$600,000 for the Salem Airpark Improvements
$600,000 for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society Expansion and Improvement
$501,389 for the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Building Expansion
$450,000 for the Mahoning Valley Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Infrastructure Initiative
$450,000 for the Rich Center for Autism Building for Tomorrow
$350,000 for the YNG Aviation Education Center
$300,000 for the Salem City Village Green Lincoln Plaza
$300,000 for the Marina Boat Dock Riverside Renovation
$300,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown
$250,000 for the Regional Workforce Training and Community Wellness Center
$250,000 for the Eastern Ohio Biztown Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship Center
$250,000 for the Western Reserve Greenway Phase 4
$250,000 for the Hanover Township Fire and Emergency Medical Services Expansion Initiative
$238,000 for the Youngstown Playhouse Roof
$200,000 for the Butler Institute of Art Studio Maker Space
$175,000 for the Lepper Restoration Project
$185,000 for the Sheridan Road Multi-Use Trail
$159,131 for the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Hill
$157,011 for the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail Culvert Replacement
$107,000 for the City of Poland Sheridan Rd. Multi-Use Trail
$103,150 for the City of Struthers Mauthe Park Splash Pad
$100,000 for the Rich Center for Autism Building for Tomorrow Phase 2
$100,000 for the Kerestes Cliffs Park
$100,000 for the Youngstown Playhouse Upgrades
$93,500 for the OCCHA Renovado Capital Campaign
$60,000 for the Canfield Police Department Drone Program
$60,000 for the War Vet Museum Facility and Program Improvement Project
$60,000 for the Milton Township Courtesy Boat Docks
$50,000 for the Austintown 9-11 Memorial Park
$14,480 VFW Roof Repairs Ellsworth Post 9571

Additionally, HB 2 includes approximately $1.6B of capital budget funding for the following state entities:

$600M to provide funding for K-12 school classroom facility projects overseen by OFCC.
$575M for the Public Works Commission to issue grants and loans to local governments for road and bridge projects, fresh water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, storm sewer systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.
$415.7M for state-supported higher education institutions to conduct construction of new facilities, major renovations of existing facilities, or basic renovations at public universities and their regional campuses and community colleges.

HB 2 now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.