Budget including $10.4 million in state capital funds for Lorain County awaits DeWine's signature

Senate Bill 450, which contains nearly $4 billion for construction, renovation and maintenance of state-owned infrastructure, passed Thursday, meaning more than $10.4 million in funding for projects in Lorain County, legislators said. The capital budget is biennial, or every two years. It is how the state funds construction, renovation, public works and community projects. The bill now goes to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. The largest portion of the $10,428,301 that will come to Lorain County includes nearly $6.4 million for Lorain County Community College. Lorain County's representatives in Columbus praised the bill and the projects it will fund. "I always like when we bring money back to Lorain County," said Rep. Gayle Manning, R-Avon, in a phone call Thursday. She said about $2.7 million in funding will come back to the 52nd House District, which includes Avon, Elyria, North Ridgeville, Amherst Township and Elyria Township. The community projects the capital budget supports "mean a lot" to their organizers and residents, Gayle Manning said. State Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, who voted June 3 in favor of the budget, said he was proud to bring Lorain County taxpayers' money back to their communities. "Over the years we've been able to support a lot of great projects," Nathan Manning said. "It truly makes a difference in the community. It's our money coming back to us from the state, so it'll be great to put it back into the community." "We have heard a lot about whether or not the state government is spending on the right things," Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, said in a news release. "I can confidently say that the nearly $10.5 million coming back to Lorain County will be well spent by providing services all Lorain County residents will benefit from. Local leaders know best on where the money needs to go, and I am proud to have worked with them to make sure this money is put to good use." Rep. Kellie Deeter, R-Norwalk, said in a news release that she was "pleased to see several important Lorain County projects" in the capital budget. "These investments will strengthen our communities, improve local infrastructure, expand recreational opportunities and support economic development throughout the county," she said, calling them "meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance quality of life while creating opportunities for future growth." One of those projects is the Historic Grafton School project, recipient of $195,000 to renovate the Depression-era school building at 1111 Elm St. in the village. Carlee Mahajan, founder and director of Historic Grafton School Inc., said in a statement that the funding "ensures the crown jewel of Grafton's history gets the polish and shine it so richly deserves, restoring this historic landmark for future generations" nearly 90 years after it was built. The project "represents a key part of a larger vision for revitalizing the Elm Street corridor, dovetailing with the village's ongoing efforts to secure Ohio Public Works Commission funding for the Elm Street reconstruction (Phase 1) project," Mayor Charles Duke said in a statement provided to The Chronicle-Telegram. The other funded projects in Lorain County include: $650,000 for East Park Pool and Rec improvements — "perfect for Elyria and for those kids to do something fun in the summer," Gayle Manning said. $500,000 to the Neighborhood Alliance Early Childhood Enhancement Initiative $500,000 to the Avon Traxler Preserve project $450,000 to the Palmer Field youth safety project, North Ridgeville. $250,000 to Riveon Primary Care Services $175,000 to Cleveland Clinic Richard E. Jacobs Health Center cancer services, Avon $160,000 to the Amherst Patriots Park Memorial project $150,000 to Lorain County Safe Harbor $150,000 to the McGregor PACE Landing Walking Trails, Elyria $150,000 for Miller Road Boat Launch improvements, Avon Lake $150,000 for Showse Park revitalization project, Vermilion $100,000 for Brownhelm Township Schoolhouse Park improvements $100,000 for Union School Park improvements, Wellington $75,000 to the Wilson Bruce Evans historical project, Oberlin $75,000 to IConnect – Lorain $56,000 for the North Ridgeville Fire Museum restoration $50,000 for the Carnegie Center Museum roof replacement, Lorain $50,000 to the James Day Park renovation project, Sheffield Lake $40,000 to the Amherst Quarry Museum $10,000 for the Lorain County Fairgrounds helipad, Wellington Facing term limits in the Ohio House of Representatives, Miller and Gayle Manning are competing to take Nathan Manning's place in the Ohio Senate in November, while Nathan Manning and Mike Baker, a Democrat, will face off in November to replace Gayle Manning in Ohio House District 52. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.