EXTENSION CENTER WORK TO BEGIN

Cape Girardeau County Extension officials hope to be in a new facility next fall, with work on the project to start next month.

"We have accepted a construction bid," said Gerald Bryan, extension agronomy specialist. The building will be completed in September. Bryan, who is helping coordinate a fund-raising campaign, said the center will be an 8,000-square-foot extension and education center.

Wesbecher Construction Co., from the Marble Hill area, will build the center.

"We've been real happy with the fund raising," said Bryan. "People got behind it when it first started, and things haven't slowed up. We got our first big donation before the official kickoff for the campaign."

Cape County Extension officials first announced the fund campaign in August 1998, but it wasn't until last February that the project kicked off officially.

Between those two dates, an anonymous landowner came forth and offered 2 1/2 acres of land for the center.

Once the campaign became official, the funds started coming in.

Four-H club members sacked groceries, other groups performed various chores and sponsored banquet meals, designating their proceeds to the new building fund.

"At first we were looking at about $350,000," said Bryan, "but, as plans developed, the funding had to be increased."

When the building opens next fall, extension officials will have a $500,000 facility.

Funding is at $422,000, including $349,000 in cash donations and $73,000 in in-kind donations, including the land.

"That leaves about $79,700," said Bryan, "but we have promises that will lower that to about $60,000. We feel comfortable that we will come up with the rest."

Donations have come from 185 people and groups.

"Some of the groups had as many as 20 to 25 people involved," said Bryan. "That means we have response from as many as 3,500 to 4,000 people."

Cape County citizens who need or want education or information are potential clients of University Outreach and Extension. This includes farmers, gardeners, homemakers, business people and youths involved in farming.

More than 90 programs are available at the extension office. The new center will offer more space a conference room and two additional meeting rooms.

A telecommunications facility will make programs more accessible to everyone. The center will also provide citizens access to computers and the Internet.

The current center has been operating with about 2,400 square feet. The new center will be ideally suited to deliver educational programs.

EXTENSION CENTER UPDATE

Cape Girardeau County will soon start construction of a new 8,000-square-foot extension and education center. Currently, more than 90 programs are available at the center. The new building would offer more space and computer access to residents. where plans stand currently:

FUNDING

Total estimated project costs, $501,703

Cash donations, $348,805

In-kind donations (including land), $73,135

Total do9nations, $421,940

Funds needed to complete center, $79,763

To make a contribution to the center's fund-raising campaign, call 243-3581.

TIMETABLE

August 1998: Building campaign announced.

December 1998: Land acquired for new center.

February 1999: Fund-raising campaign kicked off.

May 1999: Property leveled.

January 2000: Construction bid accepted.

March 2000: Start of construction.

September 2000: Ready for occupancy.