Richardson Supports Capital Budget Investments in Local Communities

COLUMBUS – State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville) voted in favor of House Bill 687, the state capital budget, which will provide funding for community projects throughout the 86th House District and Ohio. 

The legislation makes appropriations that will fund the following local projects: 

• The Union County Agricultural Society will be allocated $290,000 for the modernization of high-voltage electricity infrastructure and necessary infield drainage;
• $300,000 for the Marysville Heritage Park to help transform the unutilized grain silos in uptown Marysville into a park with potential for a high-speed rail stop;
• $200,000 to assist in building the 18,000 square-foot Automotive and Mobility Innovation Center located in the 33 Innovation Park in Marysville;
• $150,000 to the Village of Richwood Opera House Restoration project to reinforce the load-bearing area beneath newly stabilized trusses;
• The Village of Richwood will receive $50,000 for completion of a shelterhouse and parking lot for the Richwood Park on Lynn Street;
• $150,000 to the Village of Richwood for the purchase and installation of a splash pad at the Richwood Park;
• $95,000 to the Richwood Fairgrounds for the construction of new restrooms;
•  Marion Lincoln Park will receive $100,000 to contribute to a $1.98 million project to restore three baseball fields;
• $100,000 budgeted for Downtown Marion Community Culture and Entertainment Zone for the purchase and construction of electronic bollards to safely and securely blockade downtown Marion;
• The Marion County Historical Society will receive $200,000 to help revitalize its home, the Marion Heritage Hall;
• $150,000 to the Marion Women’s Club for the conversion and renovation of an old caretaker residence into the Women’s History Resource Center;
• $2.1 million to The Ohio State University Marion Campus for infrastructure improvements;
• $1.7 million to Marion Technical College for infrastructure improvements and campus upgrades;
• The design and construction of a new education building at the Ohio Reformatory for Women to replace the existing school annex building which partially collapsed in 2020.

“Identifying the most compelling projects within my district and advocating for their funding is a lengthy and collaborative process. After working with numerous organizations and leaders throughout Marion and Union Counties, I am delighted that the state capital budget includes many opportunities to enhance the quality of life of resident’s right where our tax payer dollars belong… at home,” said Richardson.

The capital budget is created every other year. It focuses on the most pressing needs of state government, schools, and economic development within Ohio’s communities.  It is a collaborative process involving state and local leaders, the economic development community, the arts community, and others to provide guidance on local investments, while balancing the state’s need for fiscal restraint and responsibility.

House Bill 687 also provides more than $100 million for Ohio school safety grants, 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 was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate Wednesday and will now head to the governor for his consideration.