CRESTLINE — Ohio House Representative Riordan McClain (R-87) was part of a roundtable discussion in Crestline on Thursday.
With a background in marketing analytics for Fortune 500 companies, McClain said District 87 does not need to be like the rest of the state. He said he recently voted against the transportation budget proposed by Ohio Governor Mike Dewine that includes a gas tax of $0.18 per gallon.
“We have not had an increase in the gas tank since 2005,” McClain said.
He said that he voted against it because the quality of roads in rural areas, like Crawford County, is on the decline.
“There is a missed opportunity to help our area,” McClain said.
The proposal also includes an increase in public transit funding, from $33 million to $100 million.
“That helps the eight metropolitan areas throughout the state but not the rural areas,” McClain said.
Gary Frankhouse of the Crawford Partnership talked about opportunity zones.
“The federal tax bill allows states to identify up to 25 percent of low-income, high-poverty areas,” Frankhouse said.
Frankhouse said in Crawford County, those areas that have been granted the status include Crestline and Bucyrus.
These areas will be eligible for “Opportunity Funds” to invest in economic development to receive a 10-year federal tax break.
Frankhouse said the U.S. 30 is an artery for growth and money.
Crestline Police Chief Jeff Shook said quality safety forces are imperative in getting people to want to move into the village.
Shook was appointed as the police chief in the village after former police chief Joseph Butler resigned in November.
“We are building bridges with other agencies that were broken,” Shook said.
Shook said he also is working with the village council and administration to increase the wages for officers to be able to maintain a strong police force.
Several local business owners attended the discussion.
Eric Parr said he wants the village to focus on the future instead of improving things from the past.
Village Administrator John Rostash said things like infrastructure are being improved in the village.
“We need those things working correctly so we can move into the future,” Rostash said. “Those are the basics that will always be needed.”
Parr said he hopes there will be many more meetings in the future to keep the discussion and planning going for the village.
Council member Allen Laferty said future meetings will take place as the administration wants to work with business owners and citizens to foster growth and development in the village.