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Washington, DC – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) announced today that he secured a total of $500,000 for two projects at Western Kentucky University.

“I am very pleased to secure these funds for WKU,” Guthrie said.  “As we work to restore economic growth and create more jobs, it is important to make sure that WKU has the necessary resources to continue being an educational leader and economic driver for our region.”

The WKU Small Business Accelerator will receive $250,000 to provide more services and technology resources for small businesses.

“Because of Congressman Guthrie’s support, our Business Accelerator will be able to expand into the last available space at the WKU Center for Research and Development,” Buddy Steen, Director of the WKU Center for Research and Development, said. We also plan to use some of the funds to build commercial lab infrastructure into some of the suites in our Accelerator. This type of high-tech commercial space, will be used to start-up, recruit and grow more companies in our region.”

Guthrie also secured $250,000 to expand WKU transit services to purchase a more fuel-efficient bus to meet the growing needs of the campus and community.

"We are grateful for the efforts of Congressman Guthrie to provide support to WKU as it continues to meet the challenges of a growing campus,” WKU’s Director of Parking and Transportation Services Jennifer Tougas said.  “These funds will help us purchase a hybrid transit vehicle in support of WKU's commitment to sustainability. The new vehicle will allow us to diversify the size of vehicles in our fleet to match service demands and expand our services to students to promote the use of transit to meet our access needs on campus."

These funds were included in the Department of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, which is expected to pass the U.S. House of Representatives this week.