Senator Wilkin Announces Millions of Dollars for District Projects

COLUMBUS—State Senator Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro) announced the investment of millions of dollars from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund (OTSCIF) to support meaningful projects that will benefit our local communities and residents for years to come.

"These projects will truly change lives by giving our first responders the tools they need to keep us safe and investing in other critical services," Wilkin said. "I'm excited to see these projects break ground and for the full rollout of our capital budget process. This truly is an incredible day for Southern Ohio."
 
The following are some of the projects awarded funding in Senate District 17:

Jeffersonville Rattlesnake Water System Improvements, $1 million: Funds will support a new water treatment plant to improve service to Fayette County residents.

Highland County Engineer Truck Barn, $1 million: These dollars will support building a new truck barn to accommodate over 20 trucks. 

Several improvements to public safety, including but not limited to:$175,000 for the Wayne Township Firehouse Community Shelter to be used for a training facility and a shelter for residents during severe weather.

$175,000 for the Union Township Fire Department to provide a dormitory expansion for staff and a secondary Emergency Operations Center for Ross County.

$175,000 for the Wellston Fire Department's investment in a mobile fire behavior lab to train firefighters to avoid deadly situations.

The funding for these projects came from the unique, one-time fund established under the state's current operating budget, House Bill 33, passed by the Ohio General Assembly in June of 2023. 

The OTSCIF set aside $700 million as an additional source of funding allowing communities and organizations to apply for help with projects that might not qualify as part of the state's traditional Capital Budget that happens every two years.

Each chamber developed a plan for $350 million of the total amount while coordinating good faith negotiations to determine projects for the OTSCIF.

The Senate Finance Committee will begin hearings on the bill addressing the OTSCIF funding immediately. Click here for a list of projects and a link highlighting specific projects in senators’ districts. Follow On The Record for additional updates as the Capital Budget advances through the General Assembly.