Leader Russo Announces $31M for Construction of Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex

October 31, 2023

COLUMBUS – Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today announced that the Controlling Board has approved the release of $31M for construction costs associated with phase 2 of The Ohio State University (OSU) Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex renovation. When complete, the $150M project will transform the face of OSU’s engineering campus and create a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary learning and research facility, bringing together top-ranked programs across the university’s engineering and medical science departments to create new opportunities for collaborative learning and research.

“The construction of OSU’s new biomedical research facility is a clear demonstration that Central Ohio intends to stay at the cutting-edge of biomedical research and manufacturing technology,” said Leader Russo. “By consistently investing in our flagship university’s STEM research and teaching programs, Central Ohio has become a beacon for industry partners looking to onshore their biomedical technology manufacturing facilities, bringing more high-quality, well-paying manufacturing jobs back to Ohio and ensuring a more vibrant economic future for all Ohioans.”

Columbus was recently named one of just five Workforce Hubs by the Biden Administration, recognizing the key role Central Ohio plays in the revitalization of important technology and manufacturing sectors within the US economy, including semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, biotechnology, high-performance computing, and transportation.

Additionally, the Controlling Board approved $29.2M to be used to fund projects that improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability. These funds were made available by the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. This increase in funds will allow for preventative measures to be taken to curb railroad accidents in Ohio, keeping Ohioans safe.

Some other items approved by the Controlling Board include:

$20M for public roadway improvements to support increased traffic surrounding the Intel economic development project in Licking County.
$7.8M to construct electric vehicle charging stations at 10 sites along Interstates 70-71 and Interstates 75-77
$4.77M in federal funds for the development of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Support Enforcement Tracking System (SETS) Modernization Project
$419K and the creation of a new fund to implement a reentry support and service coordination program for youth in Ohio who are released from the Ohio Department of Youth Services to reduce recidivism for youth who have felony convictions. This allocation is only a portion of the total dollar amount that will be available in future fiscal years.
$384K for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This increase in allocations will help improve equitable access to unemployment programs by making sure that unemployment communications and information is readably consumable and usable by all Ohioans.