Three eastern Lawrence County villages will get an extra $20,000 each this year if the money makes it through state political circles.

Saturday, May 20, 2000

Three eastern Lawrence County villages will get an extra $20,000 each this year if the money makes it through state political circles.

The money, set aside in House Bill 640 as part of the state’s biennial capital spending allotment, will provide improvements to Athalia, Proctorville and Chesapeake village halls, said state Rep. Bill Ogg, D-Sciotoville.

Legislators approved the $1.81 billion spending bill May 2. The bill outlines how the state will spend its capital improvement dollars during fiscal years 2001 to 2002.

Included is $603.2 million for primary and secondary school facilities and $529.7 million for higher education institutes.

State Sen. Mike Shoemaker’s office reported this week that the legislation is still pending on the Senate floor, with several amendments proposed. A vote is expected this week, according to the Senate information office.

Village officials heard about state legislators’ plans to provide the money about a year ago, Athalia Mayor Ron McClintock said.

If approved, the $20,000 boost to the village’s bottom line will be a one-time deal that officials plan to put to good use, McClintock said.

"One thing we would probably do is put in a new air conditioner and heating system in the building and, if there is any left over, maybe expand the building," he said.

Proctorville Mayor Jim Buchanan said the village has very little information about the possible funding so far, but it will be a welcome addition.

"We heard maybe what it’s for but we don’t know if we can put it to other uses or not," Buchanan said.

No matter what, extra state money will shore up the village’s small budget, which hardly ever sees extras, Buchanan said.

"In the last two or three years, the village got a little more from the county for the waterline project, but that’s it, no state help," he said.

"The money we’re getting, if we get it, will be a good opportunity for the village," he added.

McClintock said the Athalia community will benefit from work on village hall.

"It’s used for village meetings and a community meeting place," he said. "It’s the only thing the community has, really."

And the extra state money would be budget money the village hasn’t had before.

The $20,000 Chesapeake will receive if the spending bill passes Senate and governor approval must be spent on village hall improvements as well, Ogg said.

"I am very pleased with this year’s capital budget," he said in a statement last week listing the Scioto and Lawrence county projects that are included in the House bill.

Ohio University Southern Campus will receive $92,699 for basic renovations and $2,628,382 for new technology center construction

"We’ve given a significant amount of funding to our schools while still balancing the need to fund community projects. House District 92 has fared well in this budget."