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

July 1, 2024
Veronica R. Sims News

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Veronica Sims (D-Akron) 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. Sims helped secure $34M for Summit County. 

“This passage represents the largest capital budget bill ever. I am excited to bring more than $34 million to Summit County, including $12 million for House District 33,” said Rep. Sims. 

The $34M of funds will be distributed to several local entities, including: 

  • Akron Art Museum: $2M
  • Cascade Plaza: $5M
  • Akron Zoo: $2M
  • Legacy Building Project: $400K
  • Summit Lake Vision Plan: $150K
  • Akron Urban League: $400K

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, freshwater 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.

Included in the $415.7M for state- supported higher education institutions was a $17M appropriation for Akron University.

“There is no question that these funds will prove paramount to the vitality and prosperity of both my district and Summit County,” said Rep. Sims.

HB 2 now heads to the governor's desk for his signature.