CHILLICOTHE — The Ohio Legislature recently announced plans to spend $350 million on local projects across the state. Some of this money could go to Ross County in the future.
“We’re talking about an extraordinary amount of money,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls. “We hope these will be transformative funds, and we believe these are the projects that will have the greatest impact.”
Ohio is sitting on $700 million in cash, dubbed the “superduper fund,” thanks to a tsunami of federal funding from the coronavirus pandemic. Federal money would flow into the economy, and more revenue would be pumped into the national treasury. The Ohio House and Senate agreed to let each chamber decide how to spend $350 million.
Ohio House of Representatives gave initial approval House Bill 2. The Ohio Senate is expected to decide this spring how to spend that $350 million.
Read more: Ohio’s ‘super blue chip’ fund: How $700 million will be used for local projects
The capital budget is typically determined by March 31 and determines how to spend about $2.5 billion, including about $150 million earmarked for local projects. A regular capital budget bill has not yet been submitted.
In Ross County, the Hopewell Regional Visitor Center could receive $5 million in state funding. Ohio Congressman Mark Johnson is cautious about announcing any projects because funding hasn’t been secured yet, but said the visitor center is extremely important because it tells the story of Chillicothe from a Native American perspective. He said he believed it was necessary.
The project’s location and construction schedule have not yet been finalized, but Johnson’s project will be a joint venture with the Chillicothe City Council and the Ross County Commission. They work together to find the perfect location for the museum.
He believes the county and state need to use the World Heritage designation to attract tourists from all over the world to the area, explore it, and spend money to help local businesses.
“We all benefit from it,” Johnson said of the designation.
Mr Johnson said he would also seek capital funding to support local businesses and mental health support for his constituency. He is also asking for help to pay for upgrades to Paints Stadium, such as improved turf and seating.
“I’m proud of our community and what we do,” Johnson said.
Laura Bischoff of the Columbus Dispatch contributed to this report. Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. She can email her at: SReeves@gannett.com Or follow her on Twitter@Shelby_Reeves_