Rep. Humphrey Votes to Allocate $42 Million in State Funds for Economic Growth, Community Development for Franklin County

The bipartisan House Bill 2 now heads to the Ohio Senate which needs to approve the funds so they may be distributed to Ohioans

February 8, 2024

Latyna M. Humphrey News

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Humphrey (D-Columbus) yesterday announced that the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill (HB) 2, appropriating $2B of state funds for economic development and community investments that will help drive economic growth and generate opportunities across Ohio.

HB 2 includes half of the $700M from the One Time Strategic Community Investments Fund (OTSCIF), funding that was set aside in the most recent state operating budget. Rep. Humphrey is excited to announce Franklin County will receive $42,000,000.

“My colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to ensure that these one-time funds are allocated to projects that will significantly enhance education and economic mobility for Ohioans," said Rep. Humphrey. “I am proud of the proposal made in HB2, specifically the allocation of $42 million to intricate programs in Franklin County, such as The Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies - a rapid-scale training center that will meet the workforce needs of Ohio's growing semiconductor, biotech, electric vehicle, IT, and other advanced manufacturing industries. Allocating funds to this project and others like it will undoubtedly contribute to the betterment of Ohio in many facets."

The $42 million of OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including:

$10,000,000 to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra – Music for All
$10,000,000 to Downtown Columbus Capital Line
$10,000,000 to The Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies
$8,000,000 to the Heritage Trail Expansion
$1,000,000 to the Downtown Security Command Center
$1,000,000 to Unverferth House Revitalization and Expansion Campaign
$600,000 to Knoll View Place
$500,000 to Elevate Northland
$500,000 to the Heartland Music Incubator
$200,000 to Tawnya Salyer Memorial Statue
$200,000 to Grandview Heights McKinley Field Park

Additionally, HB 2 includes $1.65B of capital budget funding for the following state entities:

$600M for the Facilities Construction Commission (FCC) to provide the state share of project costs to school districts participating in facilities projects overseen by OFCC.
$400M for the Public Works Commission to issue grants and loans to local governments for road and bridge projects, fresh water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, storm sewer systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.
$397.6M for state-supported higher education institutions to conduct construction of new facilities, major renovations of existing facilities, or basic renovations at public universities and their regional campuses and community colleges.
$250M to support the Local Jail Facility Funding Program in the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), involving the construction and renovation of county jails.

HB 2 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. Community projects will have additional funding opportunities from the traditional capital budget and the remaining one-time funds.