Athens County parks and playgrounds among projects to get state funds

Rome Township Community Park, The Village of Buchtel and two projects in Nelsonville are among those slated to receive funds through Substitute House Bill 2, the state’s two-year construction budget for capital projects.

The Ohio House of Representatives passed the bill Thursday. It now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature and final approval.

According to Chairman of the House Finance Committee, State Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville), the bill will allocate more than $4.2 billion for capital projects in addition to $717 million in one-time project funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund.

The following investments in Athens County projects include:

$350,000 to repair the Federal Valley Resource Center, ensuring community members have access to resources, like groceries and library books;$260,000 to install new playground equipment at Alexander Local Schools, ensuring all children have a safe place to play;$100,000 to construct the Rome Township Community Park, providing a space for families to enjoy;$35,000 to revitalize Stuart’s Opera House, honoring a piece of local history; and

Also, more than $12.8 million in one-time funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund was secured. It will fund projects such as:

$2.5 million to build the Athens Regional Training Center, supporting public safety agencies in the region;$2.5 million to upgrade the Ohio University Airport, promoting the aviation industry in southeast Ohio;$500,000 to support the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Food Sector Accelerator Project, creating jobs throughout the Appalachian region;$250,000 to renovate the Nelsonville-York Elementary School playground, ensuring the safety of students and fostering opportunities for fun;$139,731 to add a shelter and kayak launch at the City of Nelsonville Dog Park, encouraging outdoor recreation;$100,000 to add sports infrastructure at the Buchtel Village Park, promoting community sportsmanship; and

In addition to these local investments, this legislation also includes additional statewide capital investments of:

$600 million for the School Building Program Assistance Fund;$400 million for the Public Works Commission Local Public Infrastructure and State Capital Improvement Program; and$397.6 million for higher education projects around the state.

The Strategic Community Investment Fund was established in the state’s main operating budget passed last year. Due to conservative fiscal stewardship, the Ohio House was able to invest these funds in projects that will move Ohio forward in addition to the traditional capital budget.