Capital Projects for Meigs County Included in Proposed Ohio Two-Year Construction Budget

Capital Projects for Meigs County Included in Proposed Ohio Two-Year Construction Budget

COLUMBUS, Ohio – State Representative Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) has announced state lawmakers have begun hearings on Ohio’s proposed two-year state construction budget. It includes funding for a variety of initiatives across the state and aids local projects across the 94^th house district.

“I am excited to announce nearly $2.2 million in appropriations to various projects throughout Southeastern Ohio,” said Edwards. “Now, more than ever, they are looking to us as government leaders to ensure their well-being and safe and enjoyable livelihoods. Through these generous funds to the 94^th district, we can guarantee that.”

The bill still has to be approved in the House and Senate then signed by Governor Mike DeWine.

Meigs County would receive a total of $600,000 along with Athens County $625,000, Washington County $725,000 and Vinton County $250,000. Local projects for the 94^th house district funded in the bill include the following:

• Recreational Field Improvements (Star Mill Park): $250,000
• Village of Syracuse Pool: $100,000
• Pomeroy Multimodal Path: $50,000
• Battle of Buffington Island Civil War Battlefield Museum: $100,000
• Meigs County Historical Society Property Development: $100,000
• Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery: $200,000
• Southeast Ohio History Center: $75,000
• Village Productions Building Renovations: $50,000
• Hocking Aquaculture Project: $300,000
• Little Hocking Community and Recreation Center: $150,000
• Harmar Pedestrian Bridge Restoration Project: $50,000
• Peoples Bank Theatre: $200,000
• Hune Covered Bridge Relocation: $75,000
• Anchorage Building Climate Control Project: $50,000
• Washington County Recreation and Support Center: $200,000
• Vinton County Fairgrounds: $50,000
• Vinton County Emergency Response Correctional Facility: $200,000

The capital bill is being included in Senate Bill 310, which is currently pending in a House-Senate conference committee. The measure is expected to be approved by the legislature this week. The bill would then go to Governor Mike DeWine for his signature.

Statewide, the bill includes more than $2 billion in new capital appropriations for a wide variety of infrastructure across Ohio. This is in addition to more than $500 million previously approved by lawmakers for schools and local infrastructure projects.

Statewide highlights include the following:

• $452 million for the Department of Higher Education, which includes funding for traditional and regional campuses and community colleges.
• $300 million for K-12 school building construction and improvements.
• $280 million for the Ohio Public Works Commission, which supports a variety of infrastructure initiatives, including local water, sewer and road projects.
• $62.5 million for the Clean Ohio Program.
• $50 million for county jail projects. Funding will be allocated through a competitive, needs-based process.
• $10 million for safety grants for K-12 schools and Ohio’s colleges and universities.