Governor Blunt's Landmark Higher Education Initiative Distributes $6.1 Million to Benefit Missouri Students

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

June 16, 2008

Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290


JEFFERSON CITYGov. Matt Blunts plan for Missouri colleges and universities today provided more than $6.1 million to benefit students around the state, promote technology and innovation, and help secure Missouris role as a higher education leader. The $6,117,050 payment distribution is the ninth of the $335 million total that Gov. Blunt secured for Missouri students and classrooms through his Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative. Thus far, MOHELA has provided nearly $240 million to the state for Gov. Blunts higher education initiative.

"As governor I have worked to increase opportunity in our state and to plant seeds for future prosperity. Education is the most important, critical, and significant investment we can make in our future. To ensure future prosperity, Missouri students must have access to the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a global economy," Gov. Blunt said. "The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is providing state-of-the-art learning centers for our students to help position Missouri as a leader in higher education and give Missouri students the foundation they need to be successful in their future endeavors."

The following universities and colleges received funding today:

 Harris Stowe-State University Child and Parent Education Center, $102,233
 Missouri Southern State University Health Sciences Center, $51,241
 Missouri Western State University Agenstein Science and Math Halls, $360,943
 University of Missouri Greenley Learning and Discovery Park, $17,286
 University of Missouri Delta Research Center, $20,524
 University of Missouri Southwest Education and Outreach Center, $44,070
 University of Missouri Horticultural and Agroforestery Research Center, $35,622
 University of Missouri Thompson Farm, $8,184
 University of Missouri Wurdack Farm, $264
 University of Missouri South Farms, $14,208
 Missouri University of Science and Technology Engineering Building, $846,226
 Crowder College, $201,518
 East Central College, $144,00
 Jefferson College, $343,205
 Mineral Area Community College, $224,861
 Moberly Area Community College, $135,697
 Ozarks Technical Community College, $430,658
 St. Louis Community College, $938,784
 Three Rivers Community College, $35,026
 Missouri Technology Corporation, $2,162,500

"Last Friday, Attorney General Jay Nixon again stated his opposition to sending this funding to these colleges and universities as well as every project funded by the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative," Gov. Blunt said. "Jay Nixon asked me to veto the landmark higher education bill that included this funding as well as college tuition controls and a new needs-based scholarship program that is delivering student aid to tens of thousands of additional Missouri college students. Missouri colleges, universities and our students are in a much better position today because Jay Nixon failed in his attempt to kill the education funding, kill tuition caps and kill the new scholarship program."

Gov. Blunts landmark Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the state. The partnership, authorized through legislation and supported by lawmakers, reinvests a state asset to generate $335 million to strengthen Missouris colleges and universities for students. The Department of Higher Education and the Office of Administration are working with universities and colleges to process the funding.

The payment amounts reimburse four-year colleges and universities for actual expenditures and are determined by information provided by the institutions each month. Community college payment amounts are set at $2 million each and distributed by request. In addition, $6 million total for maintenance and repair was allocated to community colleges. Community colleges must provide a local match in order to receive the maintenance and repair funds. Under the governors plan, the $335 million will be distributed over the next five years to maximize the benefit to students and ensure as many projects may be completed as quickly as possible.

The historic initiative takes an enormous stride forward for higher education in our state and provides much-needed funding for state-of-the-art learning and research centers. The new learning centers will prepare students to compete in todays global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for students future success.

For a complete list of projects funded by the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative and for more information, visit http://www.ded.mo.gov/lcdi.

Gov. Blunt has been a champion for higher education in Missouri. When he took office, he immediately put an end to cuts in higher education. Gov. Blunts support for higher education quadruples funding available for Access Missouri scholarships, includes funding to support education opportunities for health professionals, and provides $103 million in new funding for colleges and universities in addition to the $335 million provided by the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.