Rep. Dell'Aquila Announces Passage of Final State Capital Budget, Securing Transformative Community Investments in Cuyahoga County

June 26, 2024

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Richard Dell’Aquila (D-Seven Hills) 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.

Rep. Dell’Aquila helped secure more than $100M for Cuyahoga County.

“After an intense and complicated capital budget process, I am beyond thankful that we were able to secure this funding and get HB 2 to the finish line,” said Rep. Dell’Aquila. “These funds will have a tremendous, positive impact and benefit for the residents of House District 15 and Cuyahoga County. Our constituents deserve nothing less than our due diligence to ensure that these funds will maximize and enhance our communities from day one.”

The funds will be distributed to several District 15 entities, including:

Cuyahoga County Northcoast Connector ($20M)
Bedrock Riverfront Development ($8M)
Cleveland Port Bulk Terminal Modernization ($5M)
Cleveland Zoo Primate Forest ($2M)
Brooklyn Veteran’s Memorial Park ($500K)
Seven Hills Fire Department ($500K)

Moreover, 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. Click here for a full list of District 15 and Cuyahoga County projects.

A full list of allocations from the Capital Budget for Ohio House District 15 and Cuyahoga County can be viewed here.