COLUMBUS, Ohio – From parks to prisons, schools to sewers, a host of projects are in line for a share of almost $2.4 billion under a state construction budget unveiled Tuesday.
Governor John Kasich’s $2.386 capital spending blueprint funds community, school, park and prison projects he says will eventually create 31,000 jobs.
Quick action on the bill is expected in the Statehouse.
The bill directs $1.13 billion toward schools, colleges and universities for repairs, renovations and new buildings.
Another $574 million goes for maintenance, renovation and cost-saving projects at state-owned facilities, including parks and prisons.
Local road, bridge, sewer and other infrastructure projects would receive $369 million, with an additional $100 million going to the Clean Ohio green space preservation program.
“Because we’ve managed our money well, we can catch up on some needed maintenance and construction of public facilities, including at the local level. I’m glad it’s happening and I’m glad that so many of these requests were developed independently by local communities based on their own needs and priorities,” Kasich said.
Last year, Kasich asked local government, economic development, arts and other leaders to determine their local needs and he called on 37 public college and university presidents to compile a wish-list of projects they think are most important.
A couple of central Ohio projects have been included in the budget, according to Sen. Kevin Bacon (R—Minerva Park), including $2 million to convert the Reeb Avenue School into a community space for residents in the Southern Gateway area and a home for non-profit agencies. The facility will offer workforce and training services provided by the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Organization, high-school equivalency classes and adult education programs provided by Goodman Guild and youth programming through the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus.
The budget also includes $1 million for the Multi-jurisdiction Fiber Project, which would install 34 miles of high capacity fiber optics to connect Bexley, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg and Whitehall, Bacon said.
The McCoy Community Center in New Albany stands to receive $50,000 for a new video projection system for students from the New Albany-Plain Local schools, he said.
The budget includes $675 million for local school construction across the state, including repairs, renovations and new schools and another $454.5 million for higher education. The college presidents’ list of recommended projects totaled $404.5 million and another $50 million will support projects within the state’s university system, according to Kasich’s office.
The spending plan calls for$574.3 million to be earmarked for maintenance and renovations at state-owned facilities, including state parks, prisons and mental health facilities.
Local governments will receive $369 million for infrastructure projects administered by the Ohio Public Works Commission, including upgrades, replacement and new construction of local roads and bridges, storm and sanitary sewers, water lines and other vital infrastructure under the budget outlined Tuesday.
The Clean Ohio program is due to get $100 million “to improve outdoor recreational opportunities and fund the preservation of open spaces and farmlands,” Kasich’s office said.
The budget proposal also would grant $10 million to help the Pro Football Hall of Fame reconstruct Fawcett Stadium, the Canton field that is home to the annual enshrinement and NFL Hall of Fame game.