Nonprofits’ Projects on Hold as Ohio Slashes Capital Spending

Government funds that routinely helped Ohio universities, arts and recreation centers, and community and social-service groups build and renovate facilities may dry up in the coming year as the state slashes its capital budget, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Likening the financing to the federal practice of earmarking funds for favored projects, Gov. John Kasich will send a vastly reduced capital budget for the next two fiscal years to state lawmakers in early 2012.

“We’ve just survived Ohio’s worst fiscal crisis in more than 200 years and we’re beginning to get back on track,” said Rob Nichols, a spokesman for the Republican governor. “Now’s simply not the time for non-essential repairs or other unrelated projects.”

The proposed budget allocates no state money for projects in the Cincinnati area, which routinely received $80-million to $90-million from capital budgets in better economic times. The cuts put at risk projects ranging from an unfinished riverfront park to $31-million in repairs to University of Cincinnati buildings.

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