Strategic Square Footage Reduction Loan Program (Demolition Loan)
This grant funds Ohio public colleges and universities to demolish obsolete or underused campus buildings, aiming to improve facility efficiency and support long-term financial sustainability.
Funder: Ohio Department of Higher Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027: Questions due | April 2027: Prior Capital Investments Form due | April 2027: Full application due — Fast Track | May 2027: Full application due — Standard
Funding Amounts: $82.65M total program funding; demolition loan amounts vary by project; pre-demolition planning loans up to $250,000.
Summary: Loans for Ohio public higher education institutions to support voluntary demolition projects reducing campus square footage and improving facility utilization.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity; all dates are projected and subject to change.
Description
The Strategic Square Footage Reduction (SSFR) Loan Program provides revolving loans to Ohio’s public colleges and universities to support the voluntary reduction of campus square footage through cost-prohibitive demolition projects. The program aims to help institutions align their facilities with strategic goals, address underutilized or obsolete buildings, and improve long-term financial sustainability. Early funding rounds prioritize institutions with declining enrollment and limited fiscal capacity, as determined by 10-year enrollment trends and institutional financial health.
Eligible projects include both full and partial facility demolitions, provided the facility is owned by the institution or its nonprofit affiliate (with clear benefit to the institution). Pre-demolition planning loans are available for institutions lacking funds to complete required pre-demolition studies and planning.
