SE Ohio Times

The Ohio House of Representatives passed Substitute House Bill 2, the state's two-year construction budget for capital projects, as announced by Chairman of the House Finance Committee, State Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville). The bill allocates over $4.2 billion for capital projects and includes $717 million in one-time project funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund.

Edwards emphasized investments in local capital projects, including:

- $350,000 to repair the Federal Valley Resource Center

- $300,000 for improvements to the Morgan County Jail

- $260,000 to install new playground equipment at Alexander Local Schools

- $144,000 to renovate the Morgan County Historical Society

- $130,000 to refurbish the Marietta Castle Museum roof

- $100,000 to construct Rome Township Community Park

- $100,000 to restore the Start Westward Memorial

- $100,000 to build Syracuse Doggie Park

- $50,000 to rehabilitate Chesterhill Lions Club building

- $35,000 to revitalize Stuart’s Opera House

- $30,000 for ongoing renovations at Washington County Historical Society

“As the Chair of the House Finance Committee, I am proud of this bill that will directly spur transformational change throughout the Appalachian Region and State of Ohio as a whole,” said Edwards.

Additionally, Edwards secured over $12.8 million in one-time funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund for the 94th House District and surrounding communities. Notable allocations include:

- $2.5 million for Athens Regional Training Center

- $2.5 million for upgrades at Ohio University Airport

- $1.5 million for Village of Racine Entertainment District and Streetscape

- $1.5 million for an additional facility at Pennsville Volunteer Fire Department Inc.

- $1 million for Meigs County Transportation Hub

- $750,000 for Mid Ohio Valley Aquatic Center

- $500,000 for Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Food Sector Accelerator Project

- $500,000 to repurpose Stanberry Building into a healthcare clinic

- Various other amounts supporting community infrastructure and recreational projects

Statewide investments include:

- $600 million for School Building Program Assistance Fund

- $400 million for Public Works Commission Local Public Infrastructure and State Capital Improvement Program

- Nearly $400 million for higher education projects

The Strategic Community Investment Fund was established in last year's main operating budget. Due to conservative fiscal stewardship, these funds were allocated in addition to traditional capital budget funds.

Substitute House Bill 2 now awaits the Ohio Governor's signature.

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