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Northeast Ohio faces a significant blow as the Trump administration proposes deep budget cuts to NASA, putting the NASA Glenn Research Center in Brook Park at risk. These proposed budget reductions, which would slash NASA’s funding by nearly 25 percent, could result in the loss of approximately 40 percent of the center's workforce, reducing staff from 1,400 to just over 800 employees.

The proposed cuts to NASA's budget would decrease funding from $24.8 billion this year to $18.8 billion next year. These levels, adjusted for inflation, would be the lowest since 1961, predating the Apollo moon missions. Such significant reductions have been labeled an "extinction level event" for science, research, education, and the local economies intertwined with NASA's operations.

Critical projects such as the Orion Spacecraft and the Space Launch System, both integral to NASA Glenn, would face cancellation. "This is a gut punch for Northeast Ohio," said Leila Atassi. Chris Quinn observed that these cuts continue a broader pattern of the administration undermining intelligence and scientific endeavors, impacting institutions like Harvard University and various colleges nationwide.

Northeast Ohio has long strived to position itself as a central hub for aerospace innovation. For decades, NASA Glenn has been pivotal in advancing research in aeronautics, space propulsion, communications technology, and energy systems. The proposed budget cuts threaten not only the local economy but also America's leadership in critical scientific research areas.

Experts believe the budget proposal may face significant opposition in Congress, but the mere suggestion sends a worrying message about current priorities. Atassi pointed out that these cuts seem to prioritize tax reductions for the wealthy over long-term scientific and economic benefits.

Local leaders, including Congressman Max Miller, remain vocal in their support for NASA Glenn, advocating for the center's expansion and suggesting moving NASA's headquarters to Ohio. As Congress begins deliberations, the future of one of America's premier scientific institutions and a vital component of Northeast Ohio's economy hangs in the balance.