Governor releases funds needed for university autism center

The state will release $2.4 million needed to build the Southeast Missouri State University Autism Center, Gov. Jay Nixon announced Friday.

The decision, the result of a review of construction projects being funded by payments from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, means the $2.6 million project can move forward. University officials broke ground on the autism center on Jan. 23, five days before Nixon announced he would not fund the center, or any other pending MOHELA-funded project, until a review was completed.

The decision to fund the autism center was announced along with the release of money for 17 other projects on college campuses statewide. Another 12 projects, including $4.5 million for a business incubator at Southeast, remain suspended.

The college building program, started by former GOP Gov. Matt Blunt, depends on the receipt of $350 million over several years from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority.

The loan agency made an initial $230 million payment to the state in September 2007. But it has delayed several subsequent quarterly payments because of financial troubles caused by the credit market crunch and changes in federal student loan laws.

Nixon's decision Friday distributed almost all of the $118.3 million the state was holding from the initial payments made by MOHELA. After funding the 18 projects approved Friday, Nixon's office said $266,888 remain in the fund.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said he was happy Nixon had released the MOHELA funds. "Throughout this process, Gov. Nixon and Kelvin Simmons were open, honest and cooperative, and I am so pleased we were able to work together to get this project back on track quickly and efficiently," Crowell said. "The good that this center will do for families in Southeast Missouri is immeasurable, and I am grateful that all parties involved in this process were able to recognize the value of the project."

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