State Sen. Nathan Manning announces millions in funding for district projects

State Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, on Monday announced the investment of millions of dollars from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund to support projects that benefit local communities and residents in his district "for years to come," according to a news release. "I am thrilled with the support that Lorain and Huron counties received through this one-time fund," Manning said in the release. "This investment into the district will help us improve our communities' infrastructure, enhance services to our constituents, build and expand upon recreational facilities, and provide new developmental opportunities for numerous municipalities and organizations." A full list of projects — some of which have already been announced — for which funding was secured by Manning in the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund included, in Lorain County: Lorain County Fair: $1.5 million Lorain County Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly site modifications: $1 million French Creek Sports Complex, Avon: $925,000 Lorain County Administration Building: $750,000 North Ridgeville Cypress Avenue project: $700,000 Sheffield Lake Field House Rec Complex, $600,000 Boys and Girls Club of Elyria South: $588,481 The Nord Center capital improvement project: $500,000 Black River Landing Amphitheater, Lorain: $500,000 Haven Center Emergency Shelter, Neighborhood Alliance, Lorain: $500,000 Vocational Guidance Services project, Lorain: $500,000 Lorain County Health and Dentistry facility: $375,000 Elyria Public Library West River Branch: $300,000 Lorain County Dog Kennel project: $250,000 El Centro facility improvements, Lorain: $200,000 Good Knights Bed Building Center, Amherst: $150,000 Colorado Avenue Side Path, Sheffield: $150,000 Carlisle Township Hall project, $100,000 Roof repairs, Wellington VFW Post 6941: $6,000 In Huron County: Norwalk Theater restoration: $1 million Norwalk Public Library rehab: $400,000 Feichtner Memorial Building improvements, Huron County Fair: $250,000 The funding for these projects came from the one-time fund established under the state's current operating budget, House Bill 33, passed in June 2023 by the Ohio General Assembly. Some projects previously received funding in a separate Ohio House measure regarding the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund, according to Manning. The fund set aside $700 million as an additional source of funding allowing communities and organizations to apply for help with projects that might not qualify as part of the state's traditional capital budget that happens every two years, according to Manning. Each chamber developed a plan for $350 million of the total amount while coordinating good-faith negotiations to determine projects for the OTSCIF, according to Manning. The Ohio Senate Finance Committee will begin hearings on the bill addressing the funding immediately.