Numerous Lake County Projects Included in State Capital Budget

(COLUMBUS)-Following nearly two months of negotiations, HB 959 (Stewart), the state's capital appropriations budget, has been introduced with the successful inclusion of 17 projects in Lake County, announced State Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord). These projects, totaling $4,206,4700 in funding, will support arts, healthcare, and recreational spaces across the county. In addition to these Lake County projects, over $45 million will go towards projects across Northeast Ohio in support of worldclass institutions that continue to improve the lives of people across Greater Cleveland. Traditionally passed in the 2nd year of the General Assembly, the capital budget uses the state's bonding authority to support local community projects alongside investments in infrastructure to support state institutions such as public colleges and universities, state parks, and state departments.

HB 959, with companion legislation in the Ohio Senate being SB 450, includes funding for parks and recreation across the county including $500,000 for Lake Metroparks, $175,000 for the City of Mentor, and $130,000 for Grand River. Additionally, the following projects all received funding:

• $161,700 for the Fairport Harbor Orchard Park Flood Mitigation project
• $13,270 for improvements at the Kirtland Youth Baseball Diamonds
• $50,000 for Leroy Township to make improvements at the Leroy School park
• $100,000 for improvements at Mentor-on-the-Lake's Overlook Beach Park
• $200,000 for the Lake County YMCA
• $137,500 to support Wickliffe's Coulby Park improvement project
• $500,000 towards Willoughby's pedestrian bridge at Danie's Park
  

"On behalf of the Kirtland Kiwanis and the City of Kirtland, I want the thank State Representative Jamie Callender for supporting our request for funds to build dugouts at Kirtland community center," said Mike Sams, Community Service Chairman for the Kirtland Kiwanis. "The dugouts will be used for the under 12 boys and girls softball and baseball diamonds which at this time have no cover from the elements. The fields also are used by our T-ball kids. These monies will go a long way to making this project happen."

"We are grateful to receive this investment from the State of Ohio through the efforts of our state representatives," said Linda Burhenne, Leroy Township Trustee. "The walking trail at the former Leroy School property is an important community asset. This grant will help ensure that the trail remains a valuable resource for years to come."

"We are incredibly grateful to be included in this bill, and we appreciate the support shown to Fairport Harbor and our vision for Orchard Street Park," said Timothy Manross, Fairport Harbor Mayor. "This investment will help transform the former water tower site into a vibrant space that encourages outdoor play and connection for the next generation, while reducing storm flooding in our neighborhoods."

Alongside recreation projects, three Lake County cultural organizations will receive funding as part of HB 959. They are the Finnish Heritage Museum ($39,000) for elevator repairs, the Holden Arboretum ($350,000) to support improvements to the visitors' center, and Willoughby Fine Arts Association ($200,000) as part of their ongoing renovations.

"On behalf of our board, staff, faculty, and the thousands of students and families we serve, I want to express our deep gratitude to the State of Ohio for this investment in FAA and in the power of the arts to transform lives," said Pam Palermo, Development Director at the Willoughby Fine Arts Association. "This is a highly competitive grant and being selected signals that the work FAA does in this community is seen, valued, and worthy of investment. This investment will allow us to make improvements that enhance the safety, functionality, and overall experience of our facility. We will put these funds to work in a way that honors that trust."

"We are grateful to Representative Callender and the Ohio Legislature for their support of the Visitor Experience Hub at The Holden Arboretum," said Ed Moydell President & CEO, Holden Forests & Gardens. "This investment will help create a more welcoming and accessible experience for visitors while expanding opportunities for education, community engagement, and year-round connection with nature. We appreciate Representative Callender's leadership and partnership in helping advance projects that strengthen Northeast Ohio and enrich our communities."

Additionally, Auburn Career Center ($200,000), the University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center ($1,000,000), and the Willowick Municipal Center ($200,000) will all be receiving support from the state. In conjunction with this new funding, $250,000 in unutilized funding from previous capital budgets will be reappropriated to support the Lake Erie College Equite Veterinary and Rehabilitation facility.

"This equipment will increase access to targeted, minimally invasive procedures that will improve outcomes and assist in recovery for cancer patients in Lake County and the surrounding area," said Dr. Robyn Strosaker, Market President and Chief Operating Officer. "Expanding our cancer treatments at UH TriPoint Medical Center is priority, and we're grateful to Representative Callender for supporting this effort."

Across Northeast Ohio, that state will make significant investments in world-class institutions such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Art Museum, and Cleveland Orchestra in conjunction with local projects such as the Foundry's Row, Sail, Dream program.

"We are deeply grateful to the State of Ohio for their important investment in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It will help support our transformational museum expansion and redesign - amplifying our economic, cultural, and educational impact on the state," the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum said in a statement.

Out of a total of $208 million in community projects, Lake County and Northeast Ohio will receive over $45 million in funding.

"Northeast Ohio remains one of the best places in the nation to work, live, and raise a family," said Callender. "From world renown intuitions to local community theaters, lakefront beaches to forest trails, and everything in between, these investments will ensure that every generation of Ohioans can be proud to call our region home."

HB 959 had its first hearing in the House Finance Committee yesterday with additional hearings and a potential vote next week in both the Finance Committee and on the House floor. The Ohio Senate is holding concurrent hearings on SB 450 with the anticipation of sending legislation to the Governor's desk by the end of June.