Regional projects will benefit from the Strategic Community Investment Fund

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today approved the historic Strategic Community Investment Fund as part of House Alternative Bill 2, announced State Representative Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville).

The Strategic Community Investment Fund includes $350 million for statewide, regional, and local projects, with more than $39.4 million going to 86 communities.^th Howth District and surrounding communities. The fund is established under the state’s main operating budget passed in 2023 and includes surplus funds from previous years.

“These investments will have a lasting impact not only for this generation but for generations to come for the residents of my district,” Richardson said. “With these state funds, we will help build a brighter future by providing necessary and critical improvements to the District’s economy and infrastructure!”

Thanks to continued conservative financial management, Richardson was able to secure one-time funding for the ’86 project.^th Howth district and surrounding areas:

• Donated $12.5 million to upgrade the Transportation Research Center’s Impact Lab, helping secure the TRC as a proving ground for automotive innovation.
• $1.6 million to renovate classrooms and buildings at Marion Technical College to meet the growing demand for a qualified workforce.
• $450,000 to renovate the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Chapel in Marion and make it open to the public again.
• $300,000 to restore the George W. King House in Marion. The mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an attraction in the city.
• $218,000 to build six new pickleball courts in Richwood Village.
• $185,000 to continue the restoration of the Women’s History Resource Center of the Marion County Federation of Women’s Clubs.
• $162,545 to improve walking trails around the Lee Manville Memorial Park baseball field complex and construct a new playground at the park.
• $49,849 to install an ADA-friendly walking path around the Richwood Independent Fairgrounds.
• 10 million to establish the Ohio Advanced Technology Center at Columbus State Community College and increase training to meet workforce needs in the state’s growing semiconductor, biotech, electric vehicle, IT and other advanced manufacturing industries. dollar.
• $4.6 million for improvements to the Boys and Girls Club Alliance of Ohio. Enable us to continue to provide academic recovery services, support mental health welfare programs, and invest in a skilled and robust workforce center that strengthens our state and its economy.

In addition to these local investments, the legislation also includes the following additional statewide capital investments:

• $600 million for the School Construction Program Support Fund.
• $400 million for the Public Works Commission’s Local Public Infrastructure and State Capital Improvement Program.
• $397.6 million for higher education projects in the state.
• $250 million to build local prisons across Ohio.

These investments will be included as part of the State Capital Budget Act, a two-year construction budget for capital improvement projects.