Riedel, McColley announce state funding for local capital projects

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Craig S. Riedel (R-Defiance) and State Senator Rob McColley (R- Napoleon) announced passage of Senate Bill 310, which includes funding for a variety of initiatives across the state as well as $2.2 million in aid for local projects.

“These quality of life projects will make our region a better place to live by improving infrastructure, expanding employment opportunities, and promoting economic development,” said Rep. Riedel.

Local projects in Auglaize County funded in the bill include: Auglaize Mercer Recreation Complex, $750,000; Wapakoneta Veterans Memorial Park Splash Pad, $75,000; New Bremen STEM Waterway, $25,000; New Bremen StoryWalk, $7,500 and stained glass window restoration for the Wapakoneta museum, $22,000.

“It is important we work to get tax payer money from Columbus back home to our local communities,” said McColley. “I’m happy to see this money doing just that to help out our local governments in making these improvements.”

Statewide, the bill includes more than $2 billion in new capital appropriations for a wide variety of infrastructure across Ohio. Statewide highlights include:

• $ 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.

• $10 million for safety grants for K-12 schools and Ohio’s colleges and universities.

• $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.