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

COLUMBUS—Finance Chairman Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls) 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.

“Thank you to my district’s mayors and city council members for putting forward meaningful projects enhancing our community’s quality of life,” said Dolan. “These local initiatives, along with impactful county-wide projects, will improve Northeast Ohio’s economy as we rebuild during the COVID-19 pandemic.” 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 24th district. A full list of community projects can be found here.

• $2 million for City Block to convert Cleveland’s Tower City into a center for technological innovation and entrepreneurship. This investment represents the first step in Cleveland’s future, transforming Northeast Ohio into the Silicon Valley of the Midwest.
• $1 million for Cuyahoga County Restoration & Mental Health Diversion Center to create a secure residential treatment center for individuals that would otherwise be charged and placed in the Cuyahoga County Jail. The center will allow for an innovative approach to rehabilitation by treating an individual’s underlying addiction and mental health concerns while reducing the county’s jail population and rising costs.
• $850,000 for The Foundry to renovate and improve access to the river and lake. The Foundry’s primary mission is to bring the benefits of the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie to Cleveland’s school-aged children through rowing, sailing and educational programming.

Other notable Cuyahoga County projects:

• $2.25 million for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• $1.75 million for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Connector
• $1 million for the Bellefaire JCB Pediatric Psychiatric Hospital
• $1 million for the Playhouse Square Connor Palace Theatre
• $800,000 for the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo
• $800,000 for the Severance Hall
• $750,000 for the Cleveland Museum of Art
• $250,000 for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank
• $250,000 for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Centers
• $150,000 for the Cleveland African American Museum
• $100,000 for the The Music Settlement
• $100,000 for the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage

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.