In Presidential budgets there are winners and there are losers
and Monday MSU learned they would be on the outside looking in.
In President Obama's 2013 budget, MSU's FRIB Project, (Facility for Rare Isotope Beams)
will get 30 million dollars less than planned, from 52 to 22 Million.
It promised to bring a billion dollars and hundreds of jobs to Michigan State University,
but now that vision is in jeopardy.
In his budget proposal for 2013, President Obama said the government can only put aside half the money they promised MSU for the FRIB Project.
Half the money means double the hurdles.
MSU president Lou Anna K. Simon said in a statement, "While we need to review the detailed budget to determine the precise impact this funding level will have on the project, it will inevitably prolong the timeline and increase costs."
Lawmakers also weighed in on the future of the FRIB.
U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers said, "I am disappointed in the Obama Administration for breaking its promise to Michigan State University...the proposed cut in funding could throw a wrench into the planned timeline."
But U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow said the news isn't all bad.
"A few weeks ago the possibility was raised that all funding could be pulled for this new hi-tech facility----I'm glad the President's budget includes funding for the facility," Stabenow said.
But how much funding remains a big obstacle.
MSU officials say all they can do is move ahead and hope their vision will become reality sooner than later.
It's not clear unclear exactly how long the project will be delayed, MSU plans to meet again in April to re-evaluate the future of FRIB.
