Trending
The Mahoning Valley could receive more than $3 million from the state's capital budget to invest in schools, infrastructure, public services and local community projects.
State Sen. Michael Rulli, R-Salem, and Rep. Michael O'Brien, D-Warren, announced the local funding from the $2.1 billion capital appropriations budget for fiscal year 2021-22. The state's capital budget was introduced on Tuesday.
Usually the legislature approves a capital budget every two years. This budget is an amendment to Senate Bill 310. Hearings on the bill began Tuesday in the conference committee on SB 310, and the bill is expected to be voted on by the legislature this Thursday.
Mahoning County would receive $2.7 million and Trumbull County would see $1.045 million, the legislators announced.
"Given this unprecedented year we have all been through, I am happy to see that many of the capital projects submitted to the General Assembly were approved for the people of the Mahoning Valley," said Rulli.
MAHONING
In Mahoning County, projects in line for funding are:
• $500,000 to Akron Children's Hospital Beeghly Campus, for the renovation and expansion of the emergency department.
• $500,000 for the Forest Lawn flood plain restoration in Boardman and wildlife trail.
• $400,000 to the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, specifically the firefighting and safety curriculum.
• $350,000 for OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science and Technology in downtown Youngstown, for the reorganization and renovation of the Youngstown facility.
• $350,000 to Stambaugh Auditorium.
• $275,000 for the Butler Institute of American Art.
• $175,000 for McKelvey Lake Park.
• $100,000 for the Poland Municipal Forest restoration.
• $50,000 for the Jewish Community Center JCC Youth Arts project.
"After speaking with numerous community stakeholders over the past two years, we were finally able to get many of these projects across the finish line," Rulli said.
Columbiana County would receive $1.195 million, including $400,000 for a Global Investment Hub in partnership with Youngstown State University. The partnership will "cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the community," Rulli said.
TRUMBULL
In Trumbull County, projects before the legislature are:
• $500,000 to the Multi-jurisdictional Opioid Education and Workforce Training and Meeting Center.
• $200,000 for the Warren Community Amphitheatre renovations.
• $140,000 to W.D. Packard Music Hall.
• $85,000 for the Morgan History Center, Warren, renovation.
• $50,000 for the BRITE Energy Labs expansion.
• $50,000 for the Cadence Care Network Family and Community Resource Center.
• $20,000 to the Cortland Veterans Memorial Project, the second phase.
"In these challenging economic times, I am pleased my funding requests for these projects were approved," said O'Brien.
The Warren Amphitheatre would receive funding for a drainage system, as well as concrete and railing repairs, while Packard Music Hall can use the funds for a new roof.
STATEWIDE
Statewide, $305 million would be invested in schools going toward construction, repairs, renovations and maintenance for primary and secondary facilities. This is in addition to the $300 million that was approved earlier this year by the general assembly in Senate Bill 4. Another $452 million would support the 37 public colleges and universities in Ohio.
More than $95 million would be received in the mental health and human services field for mental health and addiction treatment facilities.
State and local prisons would receive more than $280 million for renovations.
Infrastructure, storm sewers and waste water systems would receive "a substantial portion" of the capital dollars, with $280 million channeled through the Public Works Commission. That figure is in addition to $255 million for the Public Works Commission, which was approved by the General Assembly.
Ohio's dams, parks, trails, waterways and wildlife would receive $253 million for maintenance and preservation, while more than $62 million would go toward the Clean Ohio program for green space, farm land and recreational opportunities.
Another $18 million would be reserved to improve public agency websites along with the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System for first responders.