Millions of dollars in funding for regional public infrastructure projects hinge on the outcome of the May 6 election.
Issue 2 — a proposed constitutional amendment — would allow the state to issue general obligation bonds to help local governments pay for infrastructure improvements. It renews the State Capital Improvement Program, which was created in 1987 and renewed by voters three times.
The Ohio Public Works Commission administers the program and has awarded more than $7 billion in grants and loans for 19,000 projects statewide since its inception.
The renewal would allow the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds for 10 years. Money to repay the bonds is built into the state budget, so it would not increase taxes.
“The State Capital Improvement Program is a lifeline for Ohio’s counties, including Summit,” County Executive Ilene Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a prepared statement. “Renewing this program means continuing to invest in the roads, bridges and water systems that our residents rely on every day. This funding has helped improve safety, attract business and protect public health — without raising taxes.”
Eligible capital projects are limited to “roads and bridges, waste water treatment systems, water supply systems, solid waste disposal facilities, storm water and sanitary collection, storage, and treatment facilities,” according to the ballot language.
Shapiro’s office clarified that a new Cleveland Browns stadium would not be eligible for these funds. The county’s Department of Community and Economic Development oversees a committee that collaborates with Summit County communities and reviews project requests.
The state awarded about $10.8 million to Summit County governments in fiscal year 2024-2025 and $13 million the prior fiscal year, according to data provided by Shapiro’s office. State Capital Improvement Program projects have included: Valley View Road reconstruction in Macedonia, Howe Avenue improvements in Cuyahoga Falls, and sanitary sewer and waterline replacements in Twinsburg.
Portage County communities have received more than $100 million in grants and about $20 million in low-interest loans since the program began, according to County Engineer Larry Jenkins Jr.
“This has helped complete more than 550 critical infrastructure projects across our county — things like roads, bridges, culverts, sanitary sewers, waterlines, and stormwater systems in all of our townships, villages, and cities,” he wrote in a letter to the editor.
Portage County Commissioner Sabrina Christian-Bennett, a Republican, also wrote a letter to The Portager in support of Issue 2, calling its passage “crucial to prevent a funding gap.”
Tami Lorence, finance director for Ravenna, said the city has used the state funding for various projects, primarily water line and infrastructure replacements, throughout the years. That was the case in 2024, when the Ohio Public Works Commission awarded Ravenna a $250,000 grant.
“We would have to pay the money out of our own taxpayer money if we didn’t get that funding,” Lorence said.
Ravenna’s infrastructure and finances are in good condition now, but she predicted such a loss would take a toll over time.
In Cuyahoga Falls, the State Capital Improvement Program has provided more than $11 million for 25 projects since 1987. City Engineer Tony Demasi said the total invested in those community projects was more than $29 million.
“These projects have included waterline, storm sewer and sanitary sewer replacements, roadway reconstructions such as Howe Avenue and State Road, and bridge replacements such as the Wyoga Lake Road bridge over Mud Brook,” he said in a prepared statement.
Statewide, the issue has received bipartisan and nonpartisan support. The Strong Ohio Communities Coalition has campaigned for its passage and compiled a list of supporters and Issue 2 information at yes2buildohio.com.
