STATEHOUSE NEWS

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The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board and Capitol Square Foundation will provide 240 school transportation grants to visit the Ohio Statehouse and its museum during the 2012-2013 academic year. The online application process will open at 9 a.m. on September 4. The grants will be made available to help schools defray bus transportation expenses to the Ohio Statehouse. Each awarded grant will be based on one-way mileage from the visiting school to Columbus. The program was created in 2009 by Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and the Walmart Foundation. Since the program’s inception, more than 60,000 students from nearly every Ohio county have visited the Ohio Statehouse with the help of this grant program.

A total of $72,000 has been made available for the 2012-2013 academic year. A total of 240 grants will be awarded; 80 grants in three mileage categories. The mileage categories are for a one-way trip from the visiting school to the Ohio Statehouse.

The three mileage categories include:
1 to 50 miles, $ 200.00 transportation grant;
51 to 100 miles, $ 300.00 transportation grant; and
101+ miles, $ 400.00 transportation grant.

Each category will be closed once the 80 available grants have been awarded. All grants will be awarded on a first come-first served basis.

The school transportation grants will be available to any Ohio school that receives state funding. The grants are limited to Ohio students in the fourth through 12th grades during the 2012-2013 academic year. Only one transportation grant will be awarded to each school regardless of the number of buses or students visiting the Ohio Statehouse. A field trip to the Ohio Statehouse can be combined with visits to other educational attractions in downtown Columbus, including the Santa Maria, COSI and the Ohio Judicial Center.


Once the application process opens on September 4, only online applications will be accepted. All applications must be submitted by an authorized teacher or school administrator. Detailed information about the program is available at www.ohiostatehouse.org. Applications will be accepted until every grant is awarded.

Ohio Statehouse Transportation Grant application fields will include:
School Name
School Address
City
State
Zip
County Teacher's Name
Teacher's Telephone
Teacher's Email
Principal’s Name
Principal’s Telephone
Grade Level(s) of Students
Total Number of Visitors
One-way Distance from your School to the Statehouse
Reimbursement Check Payable to:

About Honda of America
Honda of America operates three plants in Ohio, including the Marysville Auto Plant in Union County, Anna Engine Plant in Shelby County and East Liberty Auto Plant in Logan County. Honda Engineering has operations at the Marysville and Anna locations. Honda of America not only wants to be known for their high-quality vehicles, but for being a company that society wants to exist. This desire can be found in the very heart of Honda of America and in their strong philosophy of respecting every individual in everything they do every day.

About the Walmart Foundation
The Walmart Foundation strives to provide opportunities that improve the lives of individuals in their communities including their customers and associates. Through financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteerism, the Walmart Foundation supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in their four main focus areas of education, workforce development and economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and health and wellness.

Walmart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at 9,000 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.

About the Ohio Statehouse Museum
The Ohio Statehouse Museum functions as an interactive place for learning about Ohio government for nearly 90,000 Ohio Statehouse tour visitors annually. The Museum enriches the experience of Statehouse visitors by providing stronger and more diverse orientation and education about Ohio government and history.

The Museum includes interactive, hands-on exhibits that challenge visitors' knowledge about Ohio history and the workings of state government, while equipping them to more fully participate as citizens. Audiovisual media transport visitors to historical events and invite them to imagine themselves as governor or a legislator.

The Ohio Statehouse is more than a monument to our past; it's where history happens! The Ohio Statehouse is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed holidays. The Ohio Statehouse Museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4 p.m.; closed holidays. Admission is free. Free guided tours are offered weekdays on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekends from noon to 3 p.m. Tours depart from the Map Room easily accessible from the Third Street entrance. Groups of 10 or more are requested to call in advance to ensure a guide is available. Contact 888/OHIO-123 for more information or to schedule a group tour. For more information about the Ohio Statehouse visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

To view this press release and others, visit www.ohiostatehouse.org.

The Ohio Statehouse is handicapped accessible and senior friendly. The Capitol Square complex was restored to allow for greater access by individuals living with disabilities. Ohio Statehouse public programs and events are held in accessible and barrier free areas of the building so that everyone can participate. Ohio Statehouse visitors needing disability-related accommodations in order to fully participate in an event may contact the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board at statehouse@csrab.state.oh.us or 614/752-9777 to communicate special needs. Please allow three weeks for arrangements to be completed.

The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board (CSRAB) is responsible for maintaining the historic character of the Statehouse and Capitol Square while providing for the health, safety and convenience of those who work in or visit the complex. The Ohio Statehouse Museum Education Center coordinates tours of Capitol Square and provides information about the buildings, their history and Ohio's government.

The Capitol Square Foundation was established in 1987 to increase public awareness of and to involve citizens in the history of the Ohio Statehouse. Its purpose is to raise funds to obtain, restore and maintain artifacts and other items related to the history and enhancement of this grand monument and its adjoining grounds, so that the seat of Ohio's government may reflect the dignity of the state and its citizens.

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