Dayton Area Representatives Champion $7.7M in Capital Budget
COLUMBUS – Dayton area state representatives have secured $7.7 million in the state capital budget for Montgomery County, with input from local development agencies and dozens of individuals and organizations.
Representatives Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), Andrea White (R-Kettering), Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.), Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria) and Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) all voted in favor of the legislation, House Bill 687.
“For this capital budget, we focused on strengthening community assets that will help increase quality of life and help our citizens flourish,” said Plummer.
“This was a real team effort from the Dayton area representatives to help touch all four corners of the county,” said White. “Together, we advocated for the entire region and worked to give communities a voice during the process to help fund projects that will have a lasting impact for our neighborhoods and cities.”
Several community assets enjoyed by residents throughout the region are among those prioritized to receive support dollars. For example, the new Montgomery County Fairgrounds, the Dayton Art Institute, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, and Levitt Pavilion received an investment of dollars for vital improvements. Additionally, there was funding for other art and recreational opportunities in communities across the county, including structural improvements for Benham’s Grove, Art Park, West Carrollton Riverfront Development, the Boys and Girls Club of Dayton community recreation and space sharing project, and several community bike and pedestrian trails.
A portion of the $7.7 million investment in Montgomery County will also focus on improving access to health care and vital education, housing and human services in targeted areas with funds provided to the Ronald McDonald House, a contribution toward the construction of the new Northwest Health and Wellness Campus on the site of the former Good Samaritan Hospital, the East End Whole Family Services Hub and the YWCA Dayton’s Huber Heights Campus.
“This truly was a collaborative effort to get as much money for Montgomery County in the capital budget,” said Young. “It was a real honor to vote for the capital budget for these communities.”
An additional focus was on strengthening businesses and the workforce of the county, with more than $1.5 million of the budget going to projects with Sinclair Community College to train workforces in nursing in conjunction with Premier Health Partners, and aircraft mechanics at Dayton International Airport. The funding will also go to businesses incubators in the Dayton area supporting the development of small businesses and workforce.
“With a strong workforce we can support existing businesses and help attract more business to keep our area strong,” said Plummer.
“I am very happy to see these local projects receive vital funding through the capital budget,” said Creech. “These items will help strengthen our communities and will have a positive impact on our citizens.”
“I am proud to have helped secure these crucial funds for the community and have advocated for essential projects,” said Rep. Blackshear. “These dollars will make Dayton and Montgomery County a better place for all by financially supporting projects and services that assist constituents and uplift community members.”
The bill also includes $100 million for school safety grants across Ohio, which will help public and private schools address local building security needs, $600 million for public school building construction, renovation and repairs and $400 million for the Public Works Commission to help communities with local road, bridge and water projects.
The legislation will now head to the governor for his consideration.