Rep. Blackshear Votes to Allocate $14,000,000 in State Funds for Economic Growth, Community Development for Montgomery County

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Willis E Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) today announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill (HB) 2, appropriating $2B of state funds for economic development and community investments that will help drive economic growth and generate opportunities across Ohio.

HB 2 includes half of the $700M from the One Time Strategic Community Investments Fund (OTSCIF), funding that was set aside in the most recent state operating budget. Rep. Blackshear is excited to announce Montgomery County will receive $14,000,000.

“I am incredibly pleased to see the allocation of one-time strategic community investment funds to many key projects in my district. These dollars will make huge improvements to several area organizations that provide resources to community members and enrich peoples’ lives. I will continue to advocate for projects in my district to receive needed funding in the future,” said Rep. Blackshear.

The $14,000,000 of OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including:

·    $2,000,000 Miami Chapel Inspire Zone Youth Workforce Development Center

·       $1,000,000 Schuster Center

·       $1,000,000 Dayton Aviation Heritage Site (Wright Factory)

·       $500,000 Homefull Housing, Food, and Jobs Center

·       $300,000 East End Whole Family Services Hub Facility Expansion and Renovation in Dayton

·       $300,000 Dayton Airshow

·       $250,000 Old North Dayton Park Expansion Project

·       $100,000 Preservation of Dayton Woman’s Club Historic Mansion

Additionally, HB 2 includes $1.65B of capital budget funding for the following state entities:

·       $600M for the Facilities Construction Commission (FCC) to provide the state share of project costs to school districts participating in facilities projects overseen by OFCC.

·       $400M 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.

·       $397.6M 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.

·       $250M to support the Local Jail Facility Funding Program in the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), involving the construction and renovation of county jails.

HB 2 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. Community projects will have additional funding opportunities from the traditional capital budget and the remaining one-time funds.