Senate passes $3.5 billion investment in Ohio’s communities

COLUMBUS—Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) Tuesday announced the rollout of the state’s capital budget, a $3.5 billion investment in Ohio’s infrastructure and local community projects.

The legislature generally approves a capital budget every two years, and the bill funds needed improvements to public services and facilities across the state, including schools, roads and bridges and mental health and addiction facilities.

Huffman secured more than $12 million in funding for multiple projects across the 12th Senate District.

Among them, $2.5 million for the Apollo Regional Training Safety Program, and $2.4 million for the Lima Community Pool.

“Too often Ohio’s smaller communities are overlooked, yet they represent the backbone of Ohio,” said President Huffman. “I’m proud that being from Lima, I was able to secure this key funding for community projects that our neighbors will be able to see make a difference in here at home.”

Here is a list of projects receiving funding: Allen County funded projects ($7,370,000): Apollo Regional Training Safety Program: $2.5 million; Lima Community Pool: $2.4 million; Allen County Memorial Hall Improvements: $1 million; Lima Rotary Community Stage & Park: $800,000; Allen County Fair Youth Show Arena: $310,000; Schoonover Observatory improvements: $250,000; Allen County Fair Multi-purpose Storage Building Allen County Museum: $60,000 and Allen County Museum: $50,000.

Auglaize County funded projects ($1,110,000): St. Marys Theater and Grand Opera House: $500,000; Cridersville / Legacy Park Shelter House: $300,000; New Knoxville Splash Pad and Shelter House: $110,000; Armstrong Air & Space Museum: $100,000; Wapakoneta Waterpark: $50,000; Auglaize County Fairgrounds Piehl Family Parking Lot: $50,000.

Champaign County funded projects ($1,200,000): Champaign Aviation Museum Improvements: $500,000; Champaign County Historical Society-Museum Additions: $300,000; Gloria Theatre and the Urbana Youth Center Improvements: $300,000; The Pony Wagon Trail: $100,000.

Darke County funded projects ($626,000): Darke County Art Trail: $180,000; Ward Park Swimming Pool: $171,000 and Greenville Downtown Park: $150,000.