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

COLUMBUS—State Senator Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) 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.

“During a difficult year, like we have had, I am glad to see worthy causes receive sorely needed funding from the state," said Manning. "I am confident that the organizations receiving these resources will use them for the betterment of our community.” 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 13th district. A full list of community projects can be found here.

• $250,000 for the South Lorain Education and Wellness Center through the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Ohio to aide in the creation of a teen center with multiple wrap-around services, including tutoring, mentoring, substance abuse prevention programs, life skills, and vocational education.
• $310,000 for the Lorain County Low Income Medical and Dental Expansion Project through Lorain County Health and Dentistry to be used for site preparation and construction of a Federally Qualified Health Center providing medical and dental services to a Medically Underserved Area and Population in Elyria, Ohio, as defined by the federal government.
• $250,000 for The Blessing House Building Project to be used to construct a new facility, doubling capacity for care. The Blessing House is a care center for children who stay at the facility when their families are dealing with an emergency. The center provides the children who stay there residential care, transportation to schools, age appropriate activities, trauma informed care, and developmental assessments for toddlers and preschool-aged children.

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.