COLUMBUS – Governor Mike DeWine is proposing one-time spending of $1 billion over the next two years to help offset the economic harm of the pandemic and to promote Ohio as a desirable place to live and work.
The Republican governor is proposed about $460 million to help small businesses, about $450 million to help local communities, and $50 million to market the state.
DeWine announced the Investing In Ohio Initiative plan Monday as part of the 2022- 2023 biennial budget proposal.
He said the $1 billion is a one-time investment gleaned through savings from a reduced workforce and frozen state spending and an increase in federal Medical dollars.
“We’re using this unique opportunity to be bold, but also to be responsible,” DeWine said at a news conference where he unveiled the
The proposal includes $200 million in grants for bars and restaurants, $50 million for hotels and lodging and $40 million for indoor entertainment venues.
It also calls for $150 million for Small Business Relief Grant applicants and another $20 million for new businesses, many of whom were not qualified to receive previous funding.
“We have a unique opportunity to make significant investments that will spur growth and economic renewal across the state,” said Governor DeWine. “The Investing In Ohio Initiative supports both our people and our economy as we continue to prepare for the future and showcase Ohio as the premier place to live and work.”
The spending blueprint returns the education budget to pre-pandemic levels and includes a $70 million investment to ensure that businesses have access to a skilled workforce.
The workforce investments also includes targeted funding for economically distressed rural and urban areas.
It calls for an additional $5 million for 5,000 tech-focused credentials for Ohio workers through the TechCred program in fiscal year 2021, as well as $25 million in each fiscal year 2022 and 2023 and $15 million for workforce efforts in economically distressed rural and urban communities.
The budget proposes spending $200 million to support infrastructure projects that will attract new jobs and investment opportunities while also investing $250 million towards broadband expansion to help bridge the digital divide that has left many areas of Ohio without access to quality internet coverage.
To create more transparent law enforcement agencies in the state, DeWine proposes spending t$10 million in grants to implement or enhance body-worn camera programs.