Ohio State Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) has announced that the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 54, which creates the New African Immigrants Grant and Gift Fund, allowing the New African Immigrant Commission to receive funding.

“This fund will allow the New African Immigrants Commission to receive grants and gifts to promote immigrants’ self-sufficiency by connecting them to state, nonprofit, and private programs and services,” said Reynolds, who sponsored the bill with Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron).

“These resources are crucial to the advancement of the sub-Saharan African population in Ohio.”

According to the Senate Bill, “Section 1. That section 4112.33 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

 Sec. 4112.33. There is hereby created in the state treasury the new African immigrants grant and gift fund. The fund shall consist of money received as grants or gifts under section 4112.31 of the Revised Code and any money transferred or appropriated to the fund by the general assembly. The new African immigrants commission shall use the money to support the commission’s duties. Investment earnings of the fund shall be credited to the fund.”

The New African Immigrant Commission was established in the 127th General Assembly with the objective to advise the Governor, General Assembly, and state agencies on policies focusing on the special issues and needs of Ohio’s African immigrant population.

New African Immigrants make up a population of over 69,000 across more than 39 counties.

Members of the New African Immigrants Commission, NAIC had worked with various House of Representatives and Senate members for over five years to pass the Grant and Gift Fund without success.

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