Patton, Ohio House Passes Strategic Community Investment Fund
COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today approved the historic Strategic Community Investment Fund, as part of Substitute House Bill 2, announced State Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville).
The Strategic Community Investment Fund includes $350 million for statewide, regional, and local projects, including 37,250,000 for Cuyahoga County. The fund was established under the state’s main operating budget passed in 2023 and includes excess funding from the previous fiscal year.
“Ohio’s future is bright,” said Patton. “The transformational money that is being invested throughout Cuyahoga County will have an impact on our region for decades to come.”
$20,000,000 for the construction of the Northcoast Connector, connecting downtown Cleveland and the Lake Erie waterfront;
$5,000,000 for the expansion and renovation of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum, promoting the arts and tourism in northeast Ohio;
$3,500,000 for the development of the new Flats River Road, bringing jobs to the downtown area;
$1,500,000 for renovations to the West Side Market, attracting visitors to the historic market;
$1,000,000 to safeguard the Irishtown Bend Park, preserving the park to allow residents to continue to enjoy views of the Cuyahoga River and downtown skyline;
$1,000,000 for the restoration of the Brook Park Community Center, creating a community gathering space;
$1,000,000 for the construction of a new YMCA facility, providing opportunities for families and children to engage in community programs;
$1,000,000 for the construction of the new Women's Soccer Stadium, promoting women’s soccer in the region;
$750,000 for improvements to the Public Square, adding a kid-friendly space downtown;
$500,000 for the construction of the Ohio Aerospace Institute Sensitive Information Research Facility, advancing the aviation industry and economic development throughout Ohio;
$500,000 to redevelop the Gries House by the Music Settlement, promoting the importance of music and the arts in everyday life;
$500,000 to construct the Birthing Beautiful Communities Birth Center, addressing critical needs in communities affected by high rates of infant mortality;
$400,000 to build the Middleburg Heights Central, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy nature;
$400,000 for neighborhood investment in Connecting the Circle, bringing the community together;
$200,000 secured for the Northern Ohio Operations Center and Small Business Start-Up Hub, sparking creativity and collaboration at the Cleveland Foundation’s Midtown Collaboration Center.
In addition to these local investments, the legislation also includes 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; and
$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.