At least $6.3M in Valley projects make capital proposal list

COLUMBUS — At least $6,367,500 worth of community projects for the Mahoning Valley are included in the proposed Ohio Capital Budget, unveiled today by the Republican leadership of the state Legislature.

At the top of the list is $3 million for the Mahoning Valley Innovation and Commercialization Center, a proposed advanced manufacturing hub.

The proposal was submitted by Youngstown State University, but also includes Eastern Gateway Community College, area career and technical centers and the area’s business community.

The project includes $30 million for the building and $10 million for equipment. The request was for $13 million.

Also making the cut to be in the proposed budget are:

• $1.25 million for interior improvements to the DeYor Performing Arts Center in downtown Youngstown.

• $500,000 for facade improvements to the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown.

• $500,000 for improvements to the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.

• $200,000 to the Youngstown Business Incubator for work at its Tech Block Building 5, the former Vindicator building in Youngstown.

• $200,000 for an elevator project at W.D. Packard Music Hall in Warren.

• $100,000 for the expansion of First Step Recovery, a drug and alcohol detox and treatment center in Warren.

• $67,500 for renovations to the swimming pool at Waddell Park in Niles.

• $300,000 for restrooms at the Columbiana County Fairgrounds in Lisbon.

• $200,000 for the rehabilitation of a bowstring arch bridge in Lisbon.

$50,000 for expansion of facilities at Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center in St. Clair Township.