WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) applauded the Senate passage of The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R. 1105). This legislation, which includes critical funds for Ohio communities, passed the Senate last night and the House last month. It is now headed to President Barack Obama’s desk for signature to become law.

The bill includes funding to advance green energy, workforce development, health care, crime prevention, transportation and infrastructure, and agriculture in Ohio. Information on funds for Ohio communities, broken down by funding priority and then by Ohio region and municipality, can be found below.

Brown Announces Nearly $6 Million for Ohio Green Energy Projects

The bill includes $5.92 million in critical funds to support Ohio’s burgeoning green energy industry.
 
“With the right federal investment, Ohio can become the Silicon Valley of green energy manufacturing,” said Brown. “These federal funds will help commercialize advanced energy work in Ohio to create a new generation of green jobs. By building on our state’s manufacturing heritage, Ohio companies and workers can build the advanced energy products of the 21st century.”

Brown has visited advanced energy companies throughout Ohio and held green energy roundtables to assess how the federal government can make investments that support the creation of green jobs. In January 2009, Brown introduced The Green Energy Production Act of 2009. The legislation would create green-energy jobs, reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil, promote the production of green energy by expanding research and development, commercialize energy technologies, enhance workforce training opportunities, and help establish a national green-energy manufacturing base.


Brown Announces Nearly $2.4 Million for Ohio Job Training and Workforce Development Programs

The bill includes $2.38 million in funds to create a pipeline of skilled Ohio workers for emerging industries. Brown has been working to bring together leaders from the business and education communities to ensure Ohio workers are trained for the jobs of the 21st century.

“If we’re going to rebuild our economy, we need to make sure Ohio workers are prepared for the jobs of the 21st century,” said Brown. “These funds will build on regional strengths and promote job training programs that will put Ohioans back to work and bring new economic development to our state.”

Ohio’s economic development has long been stunted by workforce development issues. According to a November 2007 report released by Governor Ted Strickland’s office, four out of ten employers statewide reported having a difficult time finding qualified applicants.

Last year Brown convened six regional forums of college presidents and regional business leaders. Participants discussed how to addresses the disparity between high unemployment rates and a shortage of skilled workers for many emerging industries. Attendees shared ideas and best practices for preparing students for the 21st century and ensuring that Ohio’s educational institutions strategically promote educational access and economic opportunity.

Brown has been a leader in Congress on workforce development issues. He is the author of the “Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success (SECTORS) Act of 2008,” bipartisan legislation he introduced with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME). This legislation would provide funding for workers seeking specialized training for emerging industries.


Brown Announces Nearly $4 Million in Funds to Advance Health Care in Ohio

The bill includes more than $3.7 million in critical funds to advance health care and research in Ohio.

 “If we’re going to provide Ohioans with affordable, quality health care, we must ensure we have the workforce, facilities and resources in place to care for them,” Brown said. “These funds will meet health care needs of Ohio families while ensuring that cutting-edge research and treatment is being conducted in the state.”

Brown Announces More than $1 Million for Education Programs in Ohio

The bill includes more than $1 million in funds to support Ohio’s education system.  Brown has worked with educators from across the state to ensure students are prepared for the workforce.
 
“We must make sure every Ohio child receives a quality education,” said Brown, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee. “These funds will provide our educators with the resources they need to teach our children and prepare them for the 21st century.”
 
Last April, Brown hosted a forum with Ohio’s college and university presidents in Washington, DC. The conference focused on how best to prepare students for the 21st century and ensure that Ohio’s educational institutions strategically promoted educational access and economic opportunity. Brown followed this first-of-its kind forum with six regional meetings across Ohio at which educators and business leaders discussed best practices for education and workforce development.

Brown Announces $3.9 Million for Ohio Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention Projects

The bill includes $3.9 million in funds to promote law enforcement and crime prevention measures. Brown, who has met with police officials and forensic specialists, is working to ensure that Ohio has the latest technologies necessary to tackle crime and ensure community safety.
 
“Improving the state’s law enforcement and crime prevention efforts are essential to maintaining the high standard Ohioans deserve,” said Brown. “These federal funds will allow the men and women protecting our streets to use the latest tools and resources to keep our communities safe.”
 
The recent economic downturn has placed a strain on law enforcement budgets and resources. A number of municipalities across the state have been forced to slash budgets, causing widespread layoffs, and a decline in investments for crime-fighting technology.  Officials are hopeful that the $3.9 million in funding will help to relieve the burden on police departments and forensic labs. 
 
Brown co-sponsored an amendment to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.  The amendment increased funding for hiring and training law enforcement officers.  It also provided resources for partnerships between law enforcement agencies and school systems to combat crime.

Brown Announces More than $9 Million for Ohio Transportation and Infrastructure Projects

The bill includes more than $10 million for job-creating transportation and infrastructure improvements. Brown has met with officials across the state to ensure that Ohio improves its infrastructure to create jobs and promote long-term economic development.
 
“Improving the state’s infrastructure is central to creating jobs and getting the economy back on track,” said Brown. “These federal funds will fund numerous infrastructure projects that will promote economic development in communities across Ohio.”
 
The state’s economic development has been slowed due to various infrastructure deficiencies.  Infrastructure problems deteriorated during the Bush administration because of a lack of funding for public works and transportation projects. According to an American Society of Civil Engineers report, the top three infrastructure concerns in Ohio are roads, schools, and bridges. 
 
During his Senate tenure, Brown has held more than 130 roundtables with mayors, engineers, chambers of commerce, businesses, and workers. Brown fought for $1.39 billion to be included for water, highway, and transportation projects in the economic recovery legislation signed into law in February.
 
Brown has been a leading voice in Congress on infrastructure issues. He was the sponsor of the Bridge Life Extension Act and Corrosion Prevention Act of 2008. This legislation would encourage research and development in corrosion prevention and mandate bridge construction projects to include a corrosion mitigation plan.


Brown Announces More than $1.4 Million in Services for Rural Ohio

The bill includes more than $1.4 million in funds to targeted programs and services benefitting Ohio’s rural communities. Brown has been working to ensure that the special needs of rural areas in Ohio are addressed in Congress.
 
“These funds are a lifeline to rural Ohioans,” said Brown.  “As we take the steps to rebuild this country, we must ensure that we support rural areas. These areas are often the hardest hit, but too often overlooked. We need to expand access to health care and education and invest in economic development in rural communities.”
 
More than half of Ohio’s 88 counties are considered rural according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These areas are particularly vulnerable to the crippling effects of the economic crisis. The ten counties in Ohio with the highest rates of unemployment are all rural. Nine of Ohio’s top ten counties with the highest levels of individuals living in poverty and eligible for Medicaid are also rural.
 
Last year, Brown chaired two hearings of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture in Ohio entitled “Path to Opportunity: Jobs and the Economy in Appalachia.” These hearings examined the concerns of rural communities amidst the economic crisis. Brown has led the fight in Congress to invest in rural development. Over the past eight years, Ohio has received more than $3 billion in funds to promote rural economic growth.

Brown Announces More than $4 Million to Support Ohio Agriculture

The bill includes $4,013,000 in funds to targeted programs and services that support Ohio farmers.

 “As Ohio’s largest industry, agriculture plays an important role in meeting our state’s nutritional needs and furthering scientific research,” said Brown “By investing in agricultural research and innovation, we help foster Ohio’s strong legacy of farming and empower the next generation of leaders in Ohio’s rural communities.”

Brown is the first Senator in more than 40 years to represent Ohio on the Senate Agriculture Committee. After holding a series of roundtables with Ohio farmers he successfully secured six major provisions in the 2008 Farm Act. Brown’s Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program initiated in the farm bill allows farmers to utilize a new program that protects against drops in yield or prices.
Read more about funding for Ohio agriculture here.

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