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

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) 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. Upchurch helped secure $100.4M for Cuyahoga County

“I am overjoyed for the projects that were able to be included in this year’s capital budget, but I know of several projects in my district that were unable to get the funding they deserve, and my office will continue to work diligently to ensure more people are receiving the money they need to continue serving the people of Cleveland,” said Rep. Upchurch. 

The $100.4M of funds will be distributed to several local entities, including: 

• $2.4M for the Westside Market
• $800K for the Birthing Beautiful Communities Center
• $800K for the Glenville YMCA

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.