Rep. Upchurch Votes to Allocate $42,450,000 in State Funds for Economic Growth, Community Development for Cuyahoga County

The bipartisan House Bill 2 now heads to the Ohio Senate which needs to approve the funds so they may be distributed to Ohioans

February 7, 2024

Terrence Upchurch News

COLUMBUS - State Representative Terrence Upchurch (D-Cleveland) announced today that the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill (HB) 2, appropriating $2B of state funds for economic development and community investments that will help drive economic growth and generate opportunities across Ohio.

HB 2 includes half of the $700M from the One Time Strategic Community Investments Fund (OTSCIF), funding that was set aside in the most recent state operating budget. Rep. Upchurch is excited to announce that Cuyahoga County will receive $42,450,000.

“As one of the primary sponsors of HB 2, I am beyond pleased to report the bill’s passage from the House. We were able to allocate almost $43 million for Cuyahoga County, which is the largest county funding included in this bill. I am excited that we were able to secure $2 billion to invest in our communities,” said Rep. Upchurch.

The $42,450,000 of OTSCIF funds will be distributed to several local entities, including:

Cuyahoga County Northcoast Connector: $20,000,000
Irishtown Bend Park: $1,000,000
Glenville YMCA: $800,000
Birthing Beautiful Communities Birth Center: $400,000
Cleveland Public Square Improvements: $750,000

Additionally, HB 2 includes $1.65B of capital budget funding for the following state entities:

$600M for the Facilities Construction Commission (FCC) to provide the state share of project costs to school districts participating in facilities projects overseen by OFCC.
$400M for the Public Works Commission to issue grants and loans to local governments for road and bridge projects, fresh water treatment and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, storm sewer systems, and solid waste disposal facilities.
$397.6M for state-supported higher education institutions to conduct construction of new facilities, major renovations of existing facilities, or basic renovations at public universities and their regional campuses and community colleges.
$250M to support the Local Jail Facility Funding Program in the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC), involving the construction and renovation of county jails.

HB 2 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. Community projects will have additional funding opportunities from the traditional capital budget and the remaining one-time funds.