The fiscal year 2010-2011 budget bill approved in the Ohio Senate today includes:
• $1.5 million for facility improvements for the BGSU Ice Arena.
• $200,000 for BGSU for water quality lab equipment to be utilized in collaboration with the Wood County Health Department.
• $200,000 for the BGSU Center for Microscopy and Microanalysis for new microscopy equipment and enhancements of existing analytical equipment in support of regional solar and other high energy technology-related research.
All of the money is being reappropriated from the fiscal 2008-2009 budget.
The funds were originally earmarked for a collaborative effort between BGSU and the Wood County Health Department. The Wood County Board of Health declined to move ahead with the project, which has been focused to purchase lab equipment for the two to collaborate on similar program.
Both State Sen. Mark Wagoner, R-Ottawa Hills, and State Rep. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, have pushed for the reappropriation of the funds.
The money is part of the capital budget and by law cannot be used for general fund expenses.