Business owners, Indian Lake residents and community members gather around State Rep. Jon Cross, pictured at the back, at a February press conference with State Rep. Jon Cross at Bud’s Marine, 7169 County Road 38, Huntsville. (EXAMINER FILE PHOTO)
COLUMBUS — The weed eradication efforts at Indian Lake received a $5 million boost this week, and a volunteer-driven fundraising effort to install pickleball courts at Oldfield Beach also received sizable support, with both initiatives included among one-time project state funding passed by the Ohio House of Representatives.
The Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 26, passed Substitute House Bill 2, the state’s two-year construction budget for capital projects throughout the state, announced State Rep. Jon Cross (R-Findlay).
The bill will allocate more than $4.2 billion for capital projects in addition to $717 million in one-time project funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund.
Rep. Cross secured a record amount of $9.7 million in one-time funding from the Strategic Community Investment Fund that will directly serve the 83rd House District and the surrounding communities
The statewide, regional and local projects includes the $5 million that has been committed to dredging at Indian Lake, ensuring longevity of critical water infrastructure; and $150,000 has been dedicated to build new pickleball courts at Oldfield Beach on Indian Lake, promoting community recreation and well-being.
“I will always fight to ensure dollars make their way back to the 83rd House District,” Rep. Cross previously said during a press conference in February first announcing the initiatives at Bud’s Marine, 7169 County Road 38, Huntsville. “These are your tax dollars at work.
“It’s an economic shot in the arm for all of those who live here and love it here. I look forward to seeing the transformative effects of these projects for generations to come.”
Rep. Cross shared that as a Hardin county native, he grew up coming to Indian Lake for recreational activities with his family. With the recent weed problems at Indian Lake, he and so many others were particularly distressed about the situation, since it was creating a widespread impact on business, tourism and local property owners and families.
“It really shook this community. We were on the verge of losing the lake,” he said.
As a result of those concerns, the state representative related that the community came together through the Indian Lake Advocacy Group and other collaborative efforts. Indian Lake also has previously received state funding for weed eradication efforts and for ecological studies performed here. The resulting efforts made the summer season of 2023 a much more successful one for businesses, residents and visitors alike.
“Indian Lake is open for business and enjoyment once again,” Rep. Cross said. “You’ve saved our lake, but now we need to transition to supporting the lake.”
Bud’s Marine owner Bud Christman from the Indian Lake Advocacy Group accompanied Rep. Cross for the unveiling of the $5 million in funding earlier this year, which was the largest project funding amount received in the three-county area for Substitute House Bill 2.
“In the 60 years that I’ve been here, I’ve never seen anyone get involved the way that Jon (Cross) has,” Christman said, nothing he and Rep. Cross recently met with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources director regarding the weed issue at Indian Lake.“I want to thank him for his tremendous efforts.
“We’re off to a good start. We need to learn to support the right people and welcome new opportunities.”
Relating to the pickleball courts, Laura Kunkle joined the state representative in February to unveil the funding for six new tournament-worthy pickle ball courts to be installed at Oldfield Beach. She said the funding puts the volunteer organization “just steps away from actually being able to build” following their recent local fundraising. Volunteers have been working alongside the ILDC and the Indian Lake State Park on this important recreational effort.
“Pickleball, it’s a funny name, but an awesome sport,” Kunkle said. “We’re very excited to build the six new courts. It’s an ever-growing and very popular sport. Last year in the U.S., 69 million people enjoyed playing pickleball.
“The trouble is that there aren’t enough courts around. The courts at Oldfield Beach are going to be so unique and enjoyable since they will be at a waterfront location. People will be coming from far and wide to use them. It promotes active living and tourism in a fun, social atmosphere.”
The Strategic Community Investment Fund was established in the state’s main operating budget passed last year. Due to conservative fiscal stewardship, the Ohio House was able to invest these funds in projects that will move Ohio forward in addition to the traditional capital budget.
Substitute House Bill 2 now heads to the Ohio Governor for a signature.
