Federal funding for seven Mahoning Valley projects took a step forward by being included in the U.S. House Appropriations Committee budget, but still have a long way to go toward being finalized.

The funding requests from U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, still need the approval of the House and the Senate.

The Democratic-led House’s approval is easier as a simple majority is needed there compared to the Senate, where 60 votes are needed in a 50-50 legislative body and Republicans opposing earmarks.

Even so, Ryan, a member of the Appropriations Committee, was taking a victory lap in a Friday prepared statement.

“I’m proud to have brought this funding home to help our community thrive,” he said. “These projects that I secured funding for will help bolster our workers and build the economy of the future right here in northeast Ohio.”

A news release from Ryan’s office didn’t indicate that funding for the projects was far from finalized. It also included numerous statements from those that would benefit from the money, indicating the funding was approved.

In response to a question about the projects clearing the Democratic-controlled Appropriations Committee, Kaylin Dines, Ryan’s press secretary, wrote in an email: “Yes. The inclusion of this funding in the Appropriations Committee bill is the first step in the funding process. Congressman Ryan will continue to fight for this funding as the bill is considered on the House floor and throughout negotiations with the Senate.”

Congressional Democrats announced earlier this year they would bring back earmarks, also known as pork barrel spending. Earmarks were banned in 2011 when Republicans took control of the House with opponents saying the spending was abused and had little oversight.

House Democrats changed the rules this year, including requiring its members to make the projects public along with an explanation for each proposal and limiting the requests to 10 per lawmaker.

All 10 of Ryan’s projects were included in the budget, including seven in the Mahoning Valley. The other three are in Portage and Summit counties, which are part of Ryan’s district.

That wasn’t unusual, however, as a number of House Democrats, including those not on Appropriations, also sent news releases Friday about all 10 of their requests being included in the committee’s budget.

The Valley projects Ryan had in the committee’s budget include:

• $8.7 million to widen the runway / taxiway at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna;

• $2 million for the Youngstown Community Food Center, also known as Gleaners Food Bank, in Youngstown for a new facility;

• $1.5 million for the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown to renovate and upgrade more than 200,000 square feet of property on the city’s South Side;

• $1 million to Mercy Health-Youngstown to renovate the former Veterans Affairs clinic in Youngstown to assist pregnant women;

• $850,000 for Mahoning County High School in Youngstown to establish a community learning center;

• $549,600 for a Lowellville wastewater improvement project;

• $312,744 for the Youngstown Business Incubator and BRITE Energy Innovators to launch and coordinate a training and entrepreneurial support program.