Commissioner Davis Heads to D.C. to Speak Up for Scioto County

Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis made a trip to Washington, D.C. this week, and he had a lot on his mind—and even more to say. Davis told attendees at Thursday’s County Commissioners meeting that he met with several federal officials, including cabinet secretaries and Congressman Dave Taylor, to talk about the big issues facing southern Ohio. His main goal? Reassure local residents that critical federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP (food assistance) are not on the chopping block. “The administration made it clear there are no plans to cut Medicare or Medicaid,” Davis said. “They're focusing on stopping waste, abuse, and fraud. As long as you’re not doing anything wrong, your benefits aren’t going anywhere.” Here’s what else Davis discussed on his D.C. trip: Housing Crisis: Davis said there’s a national shortage of about 7 million homes, and Ohio is being hit hard—especially areas with a lot of new industry. He’s hopeful that the Ohio General Assembly is paying attention. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): Davis and Congressman Taylor emphasized how important these grants are for rural counties like Scioto. He warned that even if CDBG funding is restored, it could still face cuts as officials look for "efficiencies." Interstate Access for Southeast Ohio: Davis pressed for progress on Interstate 73 and 74, saying without major highways, Southeast Ohio could be left behind as new companies move into the state. He was encouraged that Congressman Taylor, who sits on the Transportation Committee, is already pushing the issue at the federal level. Chillicothe Paper Plant Closure: Davis brought up the devastating closure of the Pixelle paper mill in Ross County, which is expected to have a $1 billion economic impact on Ohio. He said federal officials weren’t aware of the closure—but now they are. “That’s a big loss for Ross County and for all of us in the region,” he said. Nuclear Energy & Piketon’s Future: Davis also spoke with the Department of Energy about the Centrus facility and plans for small modular nuclear reactors in Piketon. He said nuclear energy is once again becoming a focus at the federal level, and he hopes Scioto County and the region stay at the forefront of those efforts. “It was a good visit,” Davis said. “Good things were said. Now, we just need action. Hopefully, we’re going to stay on the front burner in D.C.”

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