YOUNGSTOWN — A local businessman has reversed his decision to withhold donations to Youngstown State University over the hiring of President Bill Johnson.

Phantom Fireworks owner Bruce Zoldan said he wants to see the Dana School of Music survive and thrive, and is willing to overlook political disagreements to make it happen.

The Youngstown State University Foundation announced Wednesday that Zoldan is giving $5 million to the school that originally was earmarked for renovations to Kilcawley Center, which would have been renamed in his honor.

“When it comes to the arts and especially music, there are no religious or political boundaries,” he said. “We’re not Republicans or Democrats, we’re individuals that appreciate the art of music and want to see it thrive and grow in our Valley.”

Zoldan, a YSU graduate, rescinded his $5 million gift to the university in February, stating that he did not approve of the university’s hiring of a politician or the manner in which the trustees hired Johnson.

“YSU doesn’t need in these politically divisive times to have a political appointee on the far left or the far right as its president,” he said at the time.

Zoldan supported Johnson when he was a congressman, giving him $2,900 in his 2022 reelection campaign and $5,200 before that, but said he strongly objected to the selection of Johnson as YSU president and the confidential search by the board of trustees.

Zoldan said at the time he already had given $625,000 for the student center, which was returned to him after his announcement. He said then that he would withhold all of the money until 60 days after Johnson’s removal from the office, and if that did not happen, he would hold it in a trust for students scholarships for those attending universities other than YSU.

“But that’s water over the dam now,” he said Wednesday. “We felt that long after I’m on the other side of the grass and the trustees who made that hiring decision are too, YSU will still be an important part of our community, and we wanted to give back in a different way.”

Zoldan said he is putting the full $625,000 plus around $5 million into the Dana School and that Dana director Dr. Joseph Carucci — and only Carucci — will make all decisions about how that money is used. The Dana School is part of the CLIFFE College of Creative Arts.

“We also are planning to hold another fundraiser, at my home, to raise another $10 million,” Zoldan said. “For those who may have been withholding for the same reason I was, they can jump on to help fund a great department and help Dana maintain the great name recognition it has always had.”

Zoldan said Carucci told him the school needs $15 million to be sustainable over the next five to 10 years, and Zoldan wants to help them reach that goal.

“My family was dismayed to learn of the significant program cuts imposed on the Dana School, and despite our differences with the board and administration of YSU, we felt the importance of the Dana School to the community and surrounding areas took precedence,” he said in the YSU Foundation’s press release. “We hope this will make a meaningful difference to the Dana School, the university and the community.”

Zoldan said it is not only important to him to give back to YSU because of his and his family’s connection to the university, but also because of the school’s impact on many families in the Mahoning Valley.

“There are many, many families living in our Valley associated with the Dana School, great families who came here because of the Dana School and who want to stay in our valley,” he said. “I’m honored that I’m able to help this department to sustain and revive itself and welcome more families who want to be part of the school and the valley.”

Carucci said he is grateful for the support the school has received in the wake of severe cuts to funding, programming and staffing imposed by the administration in the months immediately before and after Johnson’s hiring.

“The community and alumni support has been strong and inspiring,” he said in the news release. “It has underscored the need for the arts and arts education in our region and beyond and reflects the deep dedication and love for those who have been touched by the Dana School of Music. We are all very grateful for this support.”

The news release states that in addition to the $15 million goal, the school has set a secondary goal of $5 million in signed planned gifts from benefactors’ estate plans to sustain and increase endowment support for the Dana School in years to come.