Tuscarawas News

The Ohio House of Representatives has approved the Strategic Community Investment Fund, a historic initiative included in Substitute House Bill 2, announced State Rep. Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville).

"I am pleased to see funding return to the 51st House district," said Hillyer. "By investing in healthcare, public safety, infrastructure, and entertainment, we are strengthening communities and setting them up for success in the future."

The Strategic Community Investment Fund includes $350 million for statewide, regional, and local projects, with nearly $5 million allocated to Tuscarawas County and surrounding communities. The fund, established under the state's main operating budget passed in 2023, includes excess funding from the previous fiscal year.

Hillyer was instrumental in securing various one-time funding for projects in Tuscarawas and Stark County, including $7 million to modernize the Pro Football Hall of Fame, $2.5 million for renovating Tuscarawas County public facilities, $250,000 for rehabilitating the Norma Johnson Center, $250,000 for the new Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Cancer Center, and $100,000 for constructing a new burn building for first responder training.

Furthermore, Hillyer advocated for project investments in the greater northern Ohio region, such as $2.5 million to expand the Akron-Canton Airport and $100,000 to rebuild the Kelleys Island East Lakeshore Shoreline.

The Strategic Community Investment Fund is part of a larger investment plan outlined in Sub. House Bill 2, which includes significant statewide capital investments, such as $600 million for the School Building Program Assistance Fund, $400 million for the Public Works Commission Local Public Infrastructure and State Capital Improvement Program, $397.6 million for higher education projects, and $250 million for local jail construction across Ohio.

These investments will be integrated into the State Capital Budget bill, a two-year construction budget for capital projects.