Rep. McNally Votes to Allocate more than $16,396,998 in State Funds for 12 Economic Growth, Community Development projects in Ohio's 59th District

COLUMBUS -  State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today 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, as well funding for state-supported higher education institutions. Rep. McNally is excited to announce that Ohio’s 59th district will receive more than $16,396,998 in funds from HB 2.  

“It was exciting to advocate for the more than 40 projects that came out of the Mahoning Valley. I’m really proud to have successfully secured state investment for a record amount of projects in this district in recent years,” said Rep. McNally.

The $5,691,500 of OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including: 

• $875,000 for the West Branch Local School District to support building a regional Community Education and Wellness Training Center and expand their workforce development classroom. 
• $750,000 for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society to support facility expansion and improvement. 
• $300,000 for the Salem Airpark to support improvements.
• $238,000 for the Youngstown Playhouse to support roof enhancements and repair.
• $185,000 for Poland Village to support the Sheridan Road Multi-Use trail. 
• $100,000 for the Rich Center for Autism to support Phase 2 of the Building for Tomorrow project.
• $93,500 for the Organizacion Civica Cultural Hispana American (OCCHA) to support the Renovado capital campaign which includes paving the parking lot, façade improvements, signing, and gathering hall flooring.
• $2,900,000 for Columbiana County to support an Annex/Drug Task Force building. 
• $250,000 for the Hanover Township to support Fire and Emergency Medical Services and their EMS expansion initiative.

 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.

“It’s also nice to see investment success for other Mahoning Valley projects,” said Rep. McNally. “As this capital budget process continues, I’ll keep advocating to bring back more dollars.”

An additional $10,705,498 will also come to Ohio’s 59th district as part of the funding for state-supported higher education institutions including:

• $952,498 for Youngstown State University to support IT infrastructure upgrades and renovations.
• $9,753,000 for Youngstown State University to support Kilcawley Center renovations.

Finally, VFW Post 9971 in Ellsworth in Ohio’s 59th was included as part of the statewide VFW roof replacement project that received $500,000. 

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.