South Dayton News

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives has passed Substitute House Bill 2, the state’s two-year construction budget for capital projects. This legislation includes hundreds of millions for a Strategic Community Investment Fund, marking a historic investment in local community projects throughout Montgomery County. State Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering), Phil Plummer (Dayton), and Tom Young (Washington Township) announced the $34 million allocation.

The one-time Strategic Community Investment Fund comprises $700 million for statewide, regional, and local projects due to excess funding from the previous fiscal year through conservative fiscal management. Additionally, Substitute House Bill 2 allocates $150 million for community projects and $3.4 billion to support state higher education, K-12 schools, public works infrastructure, local school building facilities, state parks, and other state-funded facilities.

“Representatives White, Young and I worked hard to bring these financial resources to our community,” said Plummer. “We will continue to stand up for our region to improve the quality of life for our citizens.”

White emphasized their collective effort: “Together, we fought for and will continue to work to bring resources to our region to help improve the lives, health, job and economic opportunities for our region. Funding these strategic, much-needed projects will have a lasting impact throughout our region for generations to come.”

Young expressed gratitude towards his colleagues: “I’d like to thank my colleagues Representative Andrea White, Representative Phil Plummer, Senator Bob Hackett, Senator Steve Huffman, and Representative Brian Lampton for their collaboration in getting these transformational projects funded.”

Proposed projects include initiatives aimed at economic development as well as expanding access to healthcare, jobs, housing, food services, parks and childcare. Notable investments incorporated in Substitute House Bill 2 are:

- $10 million for a new behavioral health hospital.

- $5 million supporting future developments at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

- $3 million for a Youth Development Workforce Center by the Boys and Girls Club in Dayton.

- $2 million each for redevelopment at the historic Wright Factory Site and Dayton International Airport Concourse B.

- Various other allocations ranging from park upgrades to educational initiatives.

Due to conservative fiscal stewardship by the Ohio House of Representatives additional funds were available beyond traditional capital budget allocations.

Substitute House Bill 2 now awaits the Ohio Governor's signature.