EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Northeast Ohio communities, officials and agencies experienced in 2024 and what is facing them in 2025. State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, who won re-election in November, recently said he plans to continue working for the people of District 18 while moving forward with programming and policies he’s initiated and supported during his tenure. “In addition to providing excellent constituent services in a number of areas, we were able to bring millions of dollars in state funding to a variety of communities,” he said. “This was in addition to the usual capital budget that brought further investments to the district. “I was also proud to host the second annual University Trustee Symposium in Columbus,” Cirino added. “This gathering was important as the legislature and trustees look to respond to the changing post-secondary environment.” He said that he was also happy to sponsor and co-sponsor a “multitude of bills protecting parental rights, supporting our veterans and first responders,” in addition to promoting continued economic development in Ohio. Additional investments Earlier this year, Cirino announced an investment of millions of dollars from the state to fund key Capital Budget projects across Lake and Cuyahoga counties. The action was the second phase of a process following the $350 million investment by the Senate in communities from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund. Entities include the Alliance for Working Together, Classic Auto Group Park, the Fine Arts Association, Lake Metroparks Lakefront Trail and the Mentor Lagoons Marina, among others. “Lake and Cuyahoga counties are again receiving critical investments that will change the lives of our residents,” Cirino said. “I’m proud to have advocated for projects that will enhance public safety and improve our recreational and cultural facilities for years to come.” The Capital Budget also includes $397 million to fund facility upgrades/improvements at public four-year and two-year colleges and universities, noted Cirino, who serves as chairman of the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee. Moreover, the budget will fund $600 million for new construction and facility updates at public schools, and $575 million for local infrastructure developments, such as roads, water and sewer projects. Additionally, Cirino announced the investment of more than $2.2 million in local revitalization projects, with the Lake County Land Reutilization Corp., known as the Lake County Land Bank, receiving $300,000 to assess the 20-acre industrial site on Blackbrook Road in Painesville Township. The funding comes from the Brownfield Remediation program, which aims to help communities clean up and redevelop hazardous sites. Lake County is also receiving $1,974,621 to demolish and revitalize 13 sites. This investment comes from the fifth round of the Demolition and Site Revitalization program, which has awarded more than $270 million in grants to support more than 5,000 demolition projects in every county in the state. Both grant programs were allocated funds through House Bill 33, the state’s main operating budget, which Cirino supported. “The Land Bank has already made significant contributions to countless sites and it will continue to work with these projects,” he said. “I look forward to seeing these places of potential become vibrant parts of our neighborhoods.” Economic presence Earlier this month, the senator announced that the Ohio Tax Credit Authority is granting a 1.326 percent, seven-year, Job Creation Tax Credit to Tempcraft Corp., which is increasing its operations in the Cleveland area by establishing a new location in Brecksville and creating 60 full-time equivalent jobs. “I am elated to have Tempcraft join the Brecksville business community and continue its success in Northeast Ohio,” Cirino said. “The company’s expansion will mean so much to area families and our local economy.” The company makes ceramic core dies and wax patterns for manufacturing investment castings used in the aerospace, defense, and gas turbine industries. The Job Creation Tax Credit is a refundable and performance-based tax credit that will be applied to the company’s commercial activity tax liability, Cirino added. Moreover, the project is “one of 14 approved for tax credits by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority” to date. In total, all 14 will add more than 1,200 jobs and $283 million in investments across the state. Looking forward Echoing sentiments expressed by many elected officials, Cirino believes that identifying proper priorities and the challenges they yield, must be addressed expeditiously. “We plan to look at reducing the tax burden on businesses and families while promoting families, mental health, and affordable housing,” he emphasized. “In 2025, I will be introducing and passing the higher education reform bill so needed in Ohio,” Cirino added. “As finance chair, I also will be spending a great deal of time and effort in crafting the budget for the next biennium. “This will be a large and complicated effort but so important to our future in Ohio,” he said. “Of course, my office and staff will continue to provide assistance to our constituents in areas of need.” Cirino noted that a “very special priority” will also be the development of a sound energy strategy, especially in the area of power generation. “This will prove to be the biggest obstacle to economic growth and we need to make sure that adequate power is available to support growing demand,” he said.