Roegner Announces $2.1 Billion Investment in Ohio's Communities, Highlights Local Projects

COLUMBUS—State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) today announced the introduction of the state's capital budget, a $2.1 billion investment in Ohio's schools, infrastructure, public services and local community projects.

The legislature generally approves a capital budget every two years, and the bill funds needed improvements to public services and facilities across the state, including schools, roads and bridges, and mental health and addiction facilities. The budget was introduced today as an amendment to Senate Bill 310.

“I am happy that many of our great community projects have received the funding they deserve,” said Roegner. “These funds will help make necessary repairs and improvements to Ohio's infrastructure and create thousands of jobs across the state.” LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS Over $171 million will be used for economic development and cultural projects of local and regional importance to boost growth and increase opportunities throughout the state. Below is a summary of key community project funding in the 27th district. A full list of community projects can be found here. Wayne County

• $350,000 for the Orrville Orr Park Gateway project to construct a walkway, benches and historical markers to enhance the entrance to Orr Park.
• $300,000 for the Marshallville Preserve
• $250,000 for the Fredericksburg MARCS Emergency Communication Tower

Summit County

• $900,000 for improvements to the Blossom Music Center
• $150,000 for the restoration of the Hudson Baldwin-Buss House
• $100,000 for Summit County Metro Parks Valley View Park
• $75,000 for Case-Barlow Farm in Hudson

Stark County

• $250,000 for Canal Fulton Community Park

STATEWIDE HIGHLIGHTS

Investing in Our Schools

• $305 million will be invested in local school construction, including repairs, renovations and maintenance for primary and secondary facilities. This is in addition to the $300 million already approved this year by the General Assembly in Senate Bill 4.
• $452 million will be invested in projects supporting Ohio’s 37 public colleges and universities.

Investing in Our Infrastructure

• A substantial portion of capital spending goes to local roads, bridges, water-supply systems, storm sewers and wastewater systems, and $280 million will be directed to local infrastructure projects through the Public Works Commission. This is in addition to the $255 million for the Public Works Commission already approved by the General Assembly in Senate Bill 4.
• $253 million for the maintenance and preservation of Ohio’s dams, parks, trails, waterways and wildlife.
• $62.5 million to support the Clean Ohio program which funds preservation of green space, farmland, open spaces and expanded recreational opportunities.
• $18 million to improve the security and efficiency of public agency websites and the MARCS first responder communications system.

Investing in Our Communities
In addition to the local community projects listed above:

• $95.6 million will be invested in critical health and human services funding for mental health and addiction treatment facilities in communities across the state.
• $280.7 million for renovations of state and local prisons.

Hearings on the bill began today in the conference committee on Senate Bill 310, and the bill is expected to be voted on by the legislature this Thursday. Committee hearings and session meetings are streamed live and archived at OhioChannel.org.

For more information on the Capital Budget bill process, click here.