Today, State Sen. Bill Reineke and State Rep. Gary Click announced that the Ohio General Assembly has passed its biennial state capital budget which includes $300,000 for the Tiffin Community Kitchen project.
The Tiffin Community Kitchen is a planned addition to the Old Trinity Episcopal Church in Downtown Tiffin. Seneca County Common Ground, a non-profit dedicated to increasing access to fresh, local food, will manage the operations of the facility, which will host a variety of food-oriented programming for the entire community including hosting cooking cooperatives, promoting the culinary arts, partnering with health professionals, and facilitating service projects.
Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz commented: “The Tiffin Community Kitchen will be a unique addition to our community. I’m glad that the Ohio General Assembly recognizes its value to Tiffin, and I am excited for construction to commence on this important project.”
After passing in both the House and the Senate, the bill will now head to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for his signature. The state capital budget uses state bonds to help fund community projects across Ohio and often is used to construct parks, institutions of higher learning, and historical sites. Old Trinity Episcopal Church will use the $300,000 it receives to construct the addition to its current location to house the Tiffin Community Kitchen.
Old Trinity Episcopal Church Rector and Seneca County Common Ground Board President Aaron Gerlach said: “I’m thankful for Sen. Reineke’s and Rep. Click’s support of our capital budget request. These funds will help us construct an important tool for food access and security in Tiffin.”
About the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership
Started in 1983 as the Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC), the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving positive economic, downtown, and community development in Tiffin and Seneca County, Ohio, which consistently ranks among the top communities nationally for economic development. Learn more about the great things going on in Tiffin and Seneca County at www.tiffinseneca.org.
