Rep. Sykes Secures Funding for Small Businesses and Public Safety in Summit and Stark Counties

Rep. Sykes Secures Funding for Small Businesses and Public Safety in Summit and Stark Counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted to advance a bipartisan FY26 funding package that delivers concrete benefits for Summit and Stark Counties and Ohio's 13th District. The package combines the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill with the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations bill.

The legislation provides $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions, including five in OH-13, supporting local small businesses. It includes more than $11 billion for the IRS, which will improve customer service, make tax enforcement fairer, and help ensure people can pay their taxes accurately and on time. Election security grants go up by $30 million to keep Ohio's elections safe.

Local entrepreneurs benefit from $1 billion for the Small Business Administration, including $13 million for Entrepreneurial Development Programs, supporting the Ohio Small Business Development Centers at Kent State University Stark Campus and the Ohio SBDC at Summit Medina Business Alliance.

Public safety funding includes $300 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, helping law enforcement in Summit and Stark Counties combat drug trafficking. The National Security and State Department bill also invests in climate resilience, addressing the rising impact on extreme weather and natural disasters. After the 2024 flooding, Rep. Sykes led the Ohio delegation in urging the state to request federal assistance. The bill also provides $5.5 billion for humanitarian aid and protects funding for global programs supporting women and family planning.

"Families in Northeast Ohio deserve a government that delivers real results," said Rep. Sykes. "This funding supports small businesses, strengthens public safety, protects low-income communities, and helps our communities respond to challenges from taxes to disasters."

The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.