Ohio Valley Politics

Congressman Charlie Wilson went up to bat for Southeastern Ohio when the House was considering it’s omnibus spending bill, securing $6,324,099 in federal investments for the 6th district.

“I don’t think the Ohio River Valley always gets its fair share. I’m proud to bring more than 6.3 million dollars back home in federal investment. These are meaningful projects that will help bring jobs to the district.”

– Rep. Charlie Wilson

I’m sure some people will call this pork, but I think there’s some worthy goals here. Breaking it down we have:

• A federal research grant for Ohio University to develop new heat exchangers for aircraft and spacecraft.
• Funding for the Washington and Monroe (note: I live in Monroe county) County police forces.

Wilson also worked with Zack Space to secure funding for the Ohio University airport, a facility that already brings $15 million of economic activity to the area. The funds will go towards safety and maintenance equipment. This partnership between Space and Wilson also resulted in $280,000 in funding for the Economic Development through Entrepreneurship in Appalachia program.

You can read the full press release after the jump.

Wilson Fights Budget Battle and Brings Home $6,324,099 for Ohio’s Sixth District

More than $2.7 million headed to Athens, Monroe and Washington Counties

Washington, D.C. –  Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) today announced $6,324,099 in federal investment that is headed directly to Ohio’s Sixth District. $2,760,000 of that money will help support projects in Athens, Monroe and Washington Counties. The federal funds are part of the $555 billion Omnibus spending bill which passed both the House and the Senate and is now headed to the President for his signature.

“I don’t think the Ohio River Valley always gets its fair share,” Wilson said. “I’m proud to bring more than 6.3 million dollars back home in federal investment. These are meaningful projects that will help bring jobs to the district.”

The spending bill includes $1,600,000 that will support research and development at Ohio University to create the next generation of heat exchangers for airplanes and spacecraft. Heat exchangers are key components in power machinery that are used to appropriately heat up or cool down equipment. OU will help design and develop new types of carbon foam and heat exchanger designs that use carbon foam, a material that weighs 40% less than traditional materials. The project has the potential of creating new jobs in Ohio’s aerospace industry, while increasing the energy-efficiency of aircraft and spacecraft.

“I’m pleased that Ohio’s cutting edge aerospace technology can help address the military’s aviation needs,” Wilson said. “Eventually this research will benefit all of commercial aviation and we can all be proud that it came from Ohio University.”

In addition, Wilson and Congressman Zack Space together secured $784,000 for improvements to Ohio University’s airport.  The facility brings in more than $15 million in economic activity to the region. Specifically, this funding will go to enhance the safety and commercial service operations through the construction of an aircraft ramp, build a maintenance vehicle storage facility, and install lighted approach aids.  All of these upgrades will make the airport more usable for commercial operators.

“A lot of business people and clients won’t come to a rural area if they can’t get in an out of the region with ease,” Wilson said. “We want to provide Southeastern Ohio with all of the tools necessary to aid in economic development and this airport is a key tool. Congressman Space and I are committed to helping the university as it becomes more involved in developing jobs and opportunities in the region.”

Wilson and Space also collaborated to secure $282,000 for the Economic Development through Entrepreneurship in Appalachia (EDEA) program at Ohio University.  This program provides in-depth business and technical assistance to over a thousand businesses throughout Southeastern Ohio. 

“I believe small businesses make up the economic backbone of this country,” Wilson said. “Helping entrepreneurs launch businesses and providing them with the assistance they need to grow isn’t just good for small businesses. This will help create needed jobs in our region.”

Specifically, this funding will allow EDEA to expand its program from eight to twenty-nine counties.  During 2005 and 2006, the businesses in the eight counties served by the EDEA created over 1200 new jobs and helped retain 300 in the region.  The EDEA was also able to assist these businesses in securing $38 million in new loans, $48 million in government contracts, $2.7 million in individual investors, and $6.5 million in venture capital funding.

Finally, both Monroe County and Washington County Sherriff’s Departments will also receive funding through this federal spending bill.

Wilson secured $70,500 for the Monroe County Sherriff’s Department, which needs at least four new pieces of equipment in order to bring its force up to others in the area. The department plans to purchase in-car digital eyewitness video systems and radar units.

Since purchasing in-car camera systems in the mid 1990s, Washington County’s equipment has fallen into a state of disrepair. It often costs more to repair than to replace.  Cameras are a vital tool in law enforcement, especially in the fields of evidence collection and officer safety.  Wilson secured $23,500 so that the department’s cameras can be replaced.

“For too long our local law enforcement officers have been making do with too little,” Wilson said. “I’m proud to be a part of a Congress that’s reversing that trend. I know this funding is critical to the safety and well-being of our families, communities and neighborhoods.”

The overall spending bill in which these projects are funded represents a year of work by the Congress.

“We didn’t get everything we wanted, but we stuck to our priorities,” Wilson said. “We reversed the President’s harmful budget cuts and began reinvestment at home. It was disappointing that Congressional Republicans’ blocked so many of our efforts to make all the fiscally responsible investments we need. But, I will keep fighting to use our resources to make our country stronger.”