Governor DeWine announces new Fulton Street ramp to I-70 in Columbus.
On?Tuesday,?Governor Mike DeWine announced the opening of the new Fulton Street ramp to I-70 eastbound during a ribbon-cutting ceremony today in Columbus. The new ramp was constructed as part of the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT)?Downtown Ramp Up project, an ongoing project to reconstruct Interstates 70/71 in downtown Columbus and alleviate the biggest safety and congestion problems along the corridor.?
"This major construction milestone couldn't have come at a better time," said Governor DeWine. "With so many Ohioans returning to their offices each day, efficiency and access are both more important than ever. The increase in Ohio's motor fuel user fee allowed us to complete this ramp and keep moving forward on many improvements downtown."?
"For many years, a lot of what drivers were seeing was closures. Lanes were closing, ramps were closing, and they had to take detours to get around," said ODOT District 6 Deputy Director Lori Niese-Duguid. "This ramp opening shows those commuters what their return on investment truly is. Now, they'll start to see more openings, easier access to the interstate, fewer detours - all in the name of safety and efficiency."
When finished, the construction project will eliminate over 90% of lane changes on I-70/71. It will result in new urban avenues with complete streets, enhanced freeway crossings with bicyclist accommodations, and the removal of unsafe ramps. It will also reconnect neighborhoods by replacing bridges with wider, pedestrian-friendly structures with parking and landscape design.?
?We can?t change the past, but we can certainly reshape the future,? said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks. ?These seemingly small steps are actually big strides toward reconnecting neighborhoods with downtown Columbus.?
The current phases of construction through downtown Columbus are expected to continue through 2026.?
Governor DeWine stands with several individuals who helped with the construction the new ramp.
Lt. Governor Husted speaks about House Bill 376, the Ohio Personal Privacy Act.
Also on?Tuesday,?Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director of InnovateOhio, was joined by State Representative Rick Carfagna (R-Genoa Twp.); Representative Thomas Hall (R-Madison Twp.); Deputy Director of InnovateOhio Carrie Kuruc; and Chair of the CyberOhio Advisory Board Kirk Herath to announce the introduction of landmark data privacy legislation.
House Bill 376, also known as the Ohio Personal Privacy Act (OPPA), would establish data rights for Ohioans while requiring businesses to adhere to specified data standards. It would primarily apply to businesses with $25 million or more gross revenue in Ohio or businesses that control or process large amounts of data. It also encourages Ohio businesses to adopt the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Privacy Framework as a standard for developing a privacy policy.
?Federal and state laws do not adequately protect how companies use your personal data and what rights you have to that information.? Lt. Governor Husted said. ?Without action being taken on the federal level, our state is taking the lead with this legislation to implement the necessary tools to keep Ohioans? data safe and give them control over their digital presence.?
Lt. Governor Husted receiving the ?Outstanding Public Official of the Year? award.
On Thursday, the Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) announced Lt. Governor Husted as the recipient of one of two ?Outstanding Public Official of the Year? awards at their virtual 2021 Industry Awards Celebration, which spotlights top leaders and professionals within Ohio?s restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.
?This award honors public officials who fight for the best interest of restaurant community businesses - their owners/operators and employees - and this past year, Lt. Governor Husted certainly was a large support to Ohio?s restaurant industry,? said John Barker, president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association.
?I am genuinely honored to receive this recognition because I know how much effort we put into working with restaurant owners to navigate the pandemic,? said Husted. ?We listened to restaurant owners from across the state and tried to incorporate their practical advice so they could continue to serve their customers and keep their employees safe.?
Husted was joined by 11 restaurant industry leaders during the Industry Awards Celebration being recognized for their dedication and service.
Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine attend a luncheon with the Buckeye Sheriffs' Association.
Also on Thursday, Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine attended a luncheon with members of the Buckeye Sheriffs' Association.
Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine welcome back the Ohio Task Force 1 from Florida.
Additionally, on Thursday, Governor DeWine and the Ohio First Lady welcomed the Ohio Task Force One back from?helping search for victims in the aftermath of the collapsed Champlain Towers in Surfside, Florida.
On?Friday,?Governor DeWine joined the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) in celebrating Breeze Airways? inaugural flight from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) to Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) in New Orleans.
Also, on Friday, Governor DeWine reminded Ohio business owners that grants are available through the Ohio Department of Development (Development) to help?small and medium-sized businesses recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of?$310 million is being offered across four grant programs to help new businesses that opened in 2020, food and beverage establishments, entertainment venues, and lodging venues. To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, each program has a set-aside amount of funding for each of Ohio's 88 counties. If businesses in a county do not deplete the county?s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide.
"I strongly encourage Ohio's small and medium-sized business owners to apply for these grants," said Governor DeWine. "Funding is set aside for businesses in all of Ohio's 88 counties and grants range from $10,000 to $30,000 apiece. As we continue our recovery from the pandemic, we want to give our local businesses this money to help them successfully move forward."?
When Governor DeWine announced the launch of these grant programs in June, the grant fund totaled $155 million with money made available by the Ohio General Assembly through Senate Bill 108 and Senate Bill 109. On July 1, the fund doubled to $310 million when the new fiscal year budget was approved by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Governor DeWine.?
All four programs are administered by Development. Program guidelines, terms and conditions, and required documentation for all four programs are available at BusinessHelp.Ohio.Gov. Applications opened June 29 and will remain open until funds are exhausted.
This program provides grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other food and drinking businesses. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses is determined by the business? loss of revenue in 2020.
To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $500,000 is set aside for businesses in each of Ohio?s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county?s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don?t deplete the county?s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide.
This program provides grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 theaters, music venues, spectator sports venues, museums, and other entertainment venues. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business? loss of revenue in 2020.
To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $150,000 will be set aside for businesses in each of Ohio?s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county?s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don?t deplete the county?s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide.
This program provides grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 to hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast operations. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business? decline in occupancy rate in 2020.
To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $100,000 is set aside for businesses in each of Ohio?s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county?s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don?t deplete the county?s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide.
This program provides grants of $10,000 to small businesses that were established between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020.
To ensure the grants are spread throughout the state, $100,000 will be set aside for businesses in each of Ohio?s 88 counties. As businesses in each county are approved for funding, the $10,000 grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. When a county?s allocation is depleted, businesses in that county will be eligible to receive grants from the remaining funds in the overall grant program. If businesses in a county don?t deplete the county?s allocation by July 31, the remaining funds will become available to businesses statewide.
Additionally, on Friday,?Governor DeWine announced the appointment of Natasha R. Kennedy to the Logan County Court of Common Pleas, Family Court.?
As of?Friday, there have been 1,116,322 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio. Additionally, 20,411 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths have occurred. A total of 61,089 people have been hospitalized, including 8,387 admissions to intensive care units.
For more information on Ohio's response to COVID-19, visit?coronavirus.ohio.gov?or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
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