Millions allocated for community projects funding
On June 10 the Ohio Senate introduced Senate Bill 288, which announced the investment of millions of dollars from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
Under the state’s current operating budget, House Bill 33, which passed in June 2023, $700 million was set aside for OTSCIF. The purpose of the OTSCIF is to fund projects that will benefit communities across all of Ohio.
This additional funding allowed communities to apply for assistance with projects that may not qualify as part of the state’s traditional capital budget. Each chamber developed a plan for $350 million of the total $700 million, and both chambers coordinated negotiations to fund projects in their communities.
Rep. Brett Hillyer and Sen. Al Landis brought forth several projects across Tuscarawas County that were selected for funding.
“These investments in Tuscarawas County will allow us to continue providing high-quality service and opportunity for the betterment of our citizens and the community as a whole. We, the Tuscarawas County commissioners, would like to express our deepest gratitude to Rep. Hillyer and Sen. Landis for advancing these meaningful projects,” commissioner Kristin Zemis said.
Below are some of the projects awarded by both legislators:
—Improvements to county facilities such as the jail, health department and board of elections building: $2,500,000.
—Norma Johnson Center improvements for Red Barn and Brandywine: $250,000.
—County engineer building expansion: $1,350,000.
—Dover Public Library roof replacement: $85,731.
—County fire, EMT and law enforcement burn building: $500,000.
—Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Cancer Center: $1,000,000.