State Sen. Brian Chavez, R-Marietta, gave us a little window this week into the work our elected officials do in Columbus that doesn’t always make the state-wide headlines, but means a great deal here at home.

Sure, those folks tackle big issues such as education, housing, healthcare, law enforcement … taxes … and the decisions they have a significant impact on all our lives. But they also — particularly when it comes time to work on the budget — make decisions that will improve quality of life in our communities.

Speaking about his own 30th Senate District, Chavez announced capital investments into 45 projects.

“Capital Projects are vital to rural communities like ours,” he said. “I look forward to seeing some transformational benefits as these projects are completed.”

A sampling of the projects in Washington County alone includes Washington County Fair improvements, the Oak Grove Pickleball and Recreation Center and Castle Museum improvements. They are representative of the kinds of projects to be supported across our region. They are projects that, in many ways, mean a great deal more to the average Washington Countian than much of the rest of what comes out of Columbus.

Chavez is not alone, of course, in securing funding for local capital projects. But his announcement was an encouraging reminder that we DO have people working on our behalf at the state level. Those folks are, as Chavez put it, securing an “important investment by the state into our communities.”

Once the Capital Budget reached the House of Representatives, votes from supporters such as Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, helped secure those investments, which will be a boost for many in our region.

“I am pleased to see funds available for communities across Washington County, such as the Old Community Hall of the Village of Matamoras,” said Ritter. “Our outdoor spaces will see improvements, for example, at the Washington County Fairgrounds and the East Muskingum Park, through the investments of the Capital Budget.”

Ritter’s office noted the investments prioritize “Ohio’s future by expanding access to education and healthcare through new facilities or upgrades to existing ones, improving parks and roadways to better connect communities, and strengthening local facilities across the state by providing necessary funding for enhancements.”

Now it’s just up to Gov. Mike DeWine to sign on the line to complete the work that has been done on our behalf.