Adams County voters will head to the polls on May 6, 2025, for a special statewide election to decide the future of the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP), a funding initiative that has supported crucial infrastructure projects across Ohio for nearly 40 years. Early voting begins Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The ballot issue, known as State Issue 2, stems from House Joint Resolution 8 (HJR 8), which the Ohio Senate adopted on December 18, 2024. The resolution proposes an amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would permit the issuance of $2.5 billion in general obligation bonds over the next decade, allocating $250 million annually to finance local government infrastructure projects, including road, bridge, and water system improvements.
If voters approve the amendment, the program will continue without interruption, providing much-needed funding to repair and replace aging infrastructure. Without voter approval, SCIP is set to expire on July 1, 2025, after the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) releases its final project agreements under the current funding cycle.
Impact on Adams County
Since its inception in the 1980s, the State Capital Improvement Program has funded nearly 19,000 projects statewide, investing more than $7 billion across Ohio’s 88 counties. In Adams County alone, SCIP has supported numerous infrastructure projects over the past decade, including:
- Road and Bridge Improvements
- 2022 Road and Bridge Improvements
- Steam Furnace and Portsmouth Roads Paving and Bridge Replacement
- Gift Ridge, Pumpkin Ridge, Measley Ridge, Jacksonville Paving, and Popular Grove Bridge Replacement
- Mineral Springs/Peach Mountain Roadway and Bridge Improvements
- Water and Sewer System Projects
- Locust Grove Water Line Rehabilitation (Adams County Regional Water District)
- Cemetery Street Storm Sewer and Sewer Collection System Rehabilitation (Village of Manchester)
- Lovejoy Sewage Pump Station Replacement and North Main Street Water Main Replacement (Village of West Union)
- Jee Road Lift Station Replacement and Main Street Improvements (Village of Winchester)
How the Program Works:
Under SCIP, grants can cover up to 90% of the cost for infrastructure repairs and replacements, or 50% for new construction and expansion projects. Zero-interest loans are also available for terms of up to 30 years, depending on the useful life of the project. Additionally, loan assistance grants can cover interest costs during construction.
What’s at Stake:
HJR 8 aims to renew this critical funding to ensure communities like Adams County can continue addressing infrastructure needs without gaps in support. The issue will be the only item on the May 6 ballot in Adams County, giving voters the opportunity to decide whether the state should continue investing in essential infrastructure projects through the SCIP program. This program doesn’t raise your taxes.
To learn more about the projects funded by the State Capital Improvement Program and its impact on local communities, residents can visit the OPWC’s website at yes2buildohio.com
