Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) visited communities across Ohio to highlight the wins he is working to deliver for Ohioans in the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan. He stopped at performing arts centers in Dayton and Lima, visited Norwalk to tour the West Main street water line project, hosted a virtual roundtable on mental health challenges facing young Black girls, toured the Akron Zoo to discuss the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and toured a union manufacturing plant in New Philadelphia to tout the Buy America protections he secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan.
During stops in Dayton and Lima: Brown joined local arts leaders at the Dayton Arcade and the Allen County Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center to show how the Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOG) – which the Save Our Stages Act made possible – have helped local cultural and entertainment small businesses survive the pandemic and reopen. Brown helped write and pass the American Rescue Plan, which included the Save Our Stages Act. The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance reopened for its new season last week and the Lima Symphony will begin in-person performances again this Saturday.
Read what they’re saying about Brown’s stops in Dayton and Lima:
Dayton Daily News: ‘Lights are turning back on:’ Federal aid allows local groups to keep doors open
- “On behalf of the arts in the Dayton region, we offer a sincere thank you to Senator Brown and to all elected officials and individuals who supported the distribution of the Shuttered Venue Operator Grants,” [Culture Works President and CEO Lisa] Hanson said. “It took a bit more than a village this time, and we are grateful to live in Ohio where the importance of the arts to our economy and our lives is shared.”
- “[Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, artistic director and conductor Neal Gittleman] called the federal grants “a lifesaver” for the alliance and said it will probably take two to three years for the DPAA to fully rebuild its audience and ticket sales following the pandemic’s “disastrous hit.””
Dayton 24/7 Now: Senator Brown visits Dayton Arcade and local performing arts, showcases grant funding
- “[Neal Gittleman, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra] said, “Over the next three weeks, Dayton Opera and Dayton Ballet will take the stage, too. Funds from the SVOG grant were absolutely vital to getting us here and allowing us to come out of the COVID-ravaged season, living up to our ‘We’re back and better than ever!’ tagline. Senator Brown’s support of the SVOG was instrumental to getting the program implemented, and for that, we are deeply thankful.””
WDTN, 2 News, Dayton: Sen. Sherrod Brown tours Dayton Arcade with arts organizations to celebrate SVOG grants
- “39 Dayton-region arts venues across our entire service area and arts organizations received over $18 million through the first round of the SVOG with the largest grant to the downtown theater Dayton Live, formally know as the Victoria Theater Association, at nearly $10 million from both rounds of funding,” said Lisa Hanson, the executive director of Culture Works Dayton.”
Hometown Stations, WLIO, Lima: Sherrod Brown connects with Allen County arts leaders on results of key grants
- “We didn’t have the ability to pay for staff to be here all the time to answer those phones and execute those events… now, we can,” Ambroza stated. “We got that ability now to afford salaries, keeping our lights on, and paying those bills that we were seriously running out of options to do.”
Lima News: ‘Save Our Stages’: Brown checks out comeback effort
- “The (SVOG) really truly was our lifeline, and the only way that we were able to continue and move forward to bring live concerts like the one we’re going to do this weekend,” [Lima Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Elizabeth Brown-Ellis said].
During a stop in Norwalk: Brown joined Norwalk Mayor David Light on a walking tour of West Main Street in Norwalk to discuss how federal American Rescue Plan funds will finance replacement of a more than 100-year-old, cast-iron water line on West Main Street, and potential future infrastructure investments in the city from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan.
Read what they’re saying about Brown’s stop in Norwalk:
Sandusky Register: Brown eyes city project
- “It was nice to see him take the time to visit our city to see first-hand how we are utilizing a large portion of our American Rescue Plan money,” [Mayor Dave] Light said. “Without this money, our community would have had to borrow the funds to complete this project.”
During a roundtable Discussion on Mental Health Challenges Facing Young Black Girls: Brown convened a virtual roundtable discussion on the mental health challenges affecting young Black girls amid an alarming rise in suicide deaths. Brown spoke with mental health experts about a recent study, published by Dr. Arielle Sheftall through the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which found an increase in suicide rates among young Black children, and young Black girls in particular. The group discussed ways to support those in crisis.
Read what they’re saying about Brown’s Mental Health Roundtable:
Cleveland.com: Alarming rise in suicide rates among Black girls a focus of mental health roundtable hosted by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown
- “An alarming rise of suicide rates among young Black girls has emerged during the coronavirus pandemic, experts said during a mental health roundtable hosted by Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood.”
- “The virtual roundtable on Wednesday focused on rising suicide rates across the U.S., and how state and national lawmakers can help to address mental health issues among youth.”
During a stop in Akron: Brown joined leaders of the Akron Zoo Thursday to tour the facility and show how Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds helped the zoo survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funds helped the zoo reopen to the public and kept workers on the job.
During a stop in New Philadelphia: Brown joined Gradall Industries leadership and representatives from the International Association of Machinists Local 1285 at Gradall Industries’ manufacturing plant. Brown discussed Buy America protections he secured in the bipartisan infrastructure plan, the potential opportunities for Ohio suppliers like Gradall, and the benefits of a skilled, union workforce.
Read what they’re saying about Brown’s stop in New Philadelphia:
Times-Reporter: Sherrod Brown touts infrastructure bills during Gradall tour
- “The senator highlighted his Buy America protections that he worked to include in the legislation. These protections will ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to buy and include American-made products for all federally funded infrastructure projects.”
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