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Gov. Nixon announces $4.8 million in renovations to Missouri Western State University

 

“Building Affordability” will improve higher education facilities and help maintain Missouri’s status as a national leader in holding down tuition hikes

ST. JOSEPH – Gov. Jay Nixon today visited Missouri Western State University to announce $4.8 million in improvements and renovations made possible through Building Affordability, an initiative proposed by the Governor in collaboration with public colleges and universities and passed with bi-partisan support in the General Assembly this year.

“In addition to providing students with the state-of-the-art facilities they need to prepare for the jobs of the future, this effort will also help our colleges and universities hold down tuition,” said Gov. Nixon.  “Building Affordability will strengthen Missouri’s position as a leader in college affordability and ensure our students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed – not mountains of unsustainable debt.”

At Missouri Western, these improvements will include remodeling Popplewell Hall, Wilson Hall, the Hearnes Center library, Eder Hall, Potter Hall and the Looney Complex by replacing entryways, flooring, and drop ceilings and renovating restrooms with ADA accessible stalls and fixtures.  In addition, the initiative will allow the university to install new fiber-optic cable to support faster internet connection speeds, upgrade to digital HVAC controls, and replace old air-cooled rooftop chillers. The renovations will begin this summer and be completed by early 2018.

“These renovations will provide significant and lasting benefits to our students, our faculty and the St. Joseph region as a whole,” saidMissouri Western State University President Dr. Robert Vartabedian. “I thank Governor Nixon for his leadership in spearheading the Building Affordability initiative, and for all his work through the years to support higher education in Missouri.”

Building Affordability is a component of Build Missouri, a capital improvements initiative that will fund nearly 500 projects in every corner of the state through bond proceeds and other sources.  Build Missouri includes bond proceeds for repairs and renovations at state facilities, veterans homes, state parks and higher education campuses, and for the completion of a new state-of-the-art mental hospital in Fulton along with non-bonding sources for other projects, including conservation areas, highway patrol facilities, and other facilities.

As a result of a strong record of fiscally responsible budget management, Missouri has a AAA credit rating from all three major rating agencies. This allows the state to benefit from low interest rates, and makes long-term capital investments more affordable.  For example, Missouri taxpayers will save $30 million over the life of these bonds compared to a state with an A- rating.