Schaffer Champions Capital Budget, Over $6.8 Million In Local Investments

June 3, 2026

COLUMBUS—Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) and The Ohio Senate announced the investment of $3.7 billion to support local projects across Ohio, including over $6.8 million for projects across the 20th Senate District. These dollars were included in Senate Bill 450, the Capital Budget Bill, which was passed by the Senate today.

“Investing into our communities is paramount to keeping Ohio competitive for years to come," Schaffer said. "These investments add more than $6.8 million into our local economies and ensures that the projects our communities care about receive the funding they need."

Schaffer also highlighted the additional $600 million appropriated to build additional public school buildings. This brings the total school building program to more than $15 billion after the 1997 Supreme court decision.

The Capital Budget invested a total of $6,822,000 into the 20th Senate District, with 28 projects receiving funding. These projects are:

Farfield County
- Fairfield County Radiology Lab, $750,000
- Robert Fox YMCA Recreation Improvements, $325,000
- Lancaster Farfield County Fairgrounds, $300,000
- OU Lancaster Wagner Theatre, $300,000
- Lancaster Rising Park, $275,000
- Bremen Skate Park, $250,000
- Pickerington Connects, $200,000
- Pickerington Covered Bridge, $200,000
- Lancaster Festival Upgrades, $200,000
- Millersport Lions Park Improvements, $175,000
- Pickerington Sycamore Creek Park, $100,000
- Wagnalls Memorial Arts Culture Improvements, $100,000
- Farfield County Respiratory Therapy Lab, $91,000
- Ohio Glass Museum Improvements, $76,000
- Lancaster Greenhouse Renovations, $50,000
Licking County
- Buckeye Lake North Shore Park, $1,000,000
- Lou and Gib Reese Ice Arena Improvements, $650,000
- C-TEC Skilled Trades Workforce Lab, $500,000
- Newark Electrical JATC Regional Training Center Expansion, $230,000
- Pataskala Foundation Park Soccer Fields, $150,000
- Newark Midland Theatre Upgrades, $100,000
Perry County
- Village of Somerset Improvements, $200,000
- Glenford Shelly Park Improvements, $75,000

The legislature generally passes a Capital Budget every two years, funding improvements to public services and facilities across the state, including schools, infrastructure, and mental health and addiction facilities. Senate Bill 450 includes:

$645 Million for the Public Works Commission
$611 Million for the School Facilities Commission
$425 Million for Higher Education Institutions
$385 Million for the Department of Behavioral Health
$265 Million for the Department of Natural Resources

Senate Bill 450 now goes to the Ohio House for further consideration.

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