Mahoning Valley lawmakers announce nearly $30 million for local projects

YSU to receive $7 million for innovation center to link university with local economy

March 7, 2018

State Reps. John Boccieri (D-Poland), Mike O’Brien (D-Warren), Glenn W. Holmes (D-Girard) and Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) today applauded the passage of House Bill (HB) 529, the state’s biennial capital budget bill. HB 529 makes a $2.6 billion investment in Ohio communities with over $600 million for K-12 schools and $480 million for universities, $350 million for local infrastructure projects through the Public Works Commission and $147 million for local community projects.

The legislation directly impacts the Mahoning Valley with nearly $15 million in the Higher Education Improvement Fund for Youngstown State University (YSU) to include:

$2.3 million for Meshel Hall renovations
$4 million for the Mahoning Valley Innovation & Commercialization Center
$2.3 million for Cushwa Hall renovations
$1.7 million for Ward Beecher Science Hall improvements
$1 million for Fedor Hall renovations
$1.5 million for Pedestrian Bridge renovations
$1.1 million for campus roof replacements
$680,000 for building envelope renovations

YSU will receive $11.8 million from the Higher Education Improvement Fund for facility upgrades including $2.5 million for the Mahoning Valley Innovation & Commercialization Center.

"We've fought and long for connecting YSU to our local economy," Rep Lepore-Hagan said. "We will lead the state with this innovation center and future research opportunities."

Campbell Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center is to receive $300,000 to support workforce training initiatives for underserved communities.

The bill will provide $200,000 for Youngstown Office Improvements to the Job and Family Services building.

Eastern Gateway Community College will receive $100,000 for the Mahoning Valley Community Healthcare Training Center and $200,000 for Eastwood Field Improvements.

Western Reserve Greenway Bike Trail in Trumbull County is set to receive $75,000.

“Trumbull and Mahoning are sibling counties in many respects; when one does well, so does the other,” said Rep. Glenn W. Holmes. “We’re happy to see that both counties received a substantial amount of funding for projects that will bring further investment and opportunity to the Valley and its residents.”

Under State Fire Marshal Funds, the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC) will receive $375,000 for the Mahoning County Live Fire Training facility to help train regional firefighters.

"These funds will put people to work in the Mahoning Valley and improve our local economy," Rep Boccieri said. "The economic spin-off of regional firefighters coming to the Valley will be substantial; they'll need hotels, food and spend money on local entertainment."

Kent State University Trumbull Campus will receive nearly $700,000 in building renovations and improvements.

"Over 25 percent of YSU's enrollment resides in Trumbull County," Rep Mike O'Brien said. "We're proud to support the Innovation Center as a regional education workforce opportunity where students from Trumbull Career Technical Center will be stakeholders for years to come."

The Fire Training Center will develop the necessary field skills of current and incoming Mahoning County Firefighters to create a more secure community while the new Innovation Center at YSU is designed to arm students with an enhanced education to ultimately increase student competitiveness.

The bill passed by a vote of 90-2 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.