Springfield ag center to expand

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Construction of better agricultural facilities at Southwest Missouri State University could begin within two months now that state financing has been secured.

On Friday -- the final day for action on measures passed by the 2002 legislature -- Gov. Bob Holden signed a resolution authorizing the state to spend about $2.6 million for the work.

New classrooms are to be built and a rodeo arena is to be expanded at the William H. Darr Agricultural Center. Those improvements would further the university's goal of becoming a hub for agricultural research, education and farming services, officials said.

"This is a big deal for metropolitan agriculture," Southwest Missouri State President John Keiser said Saturday.

University officials have wanted the expansion for about 10 years, and plans have changed to accommodate the needs of the agricultural department's nearly 500 students.

Missouri House Speaker Jim Kreider, D-Nixa, sponsored the legislation, under which the state agreed to appropriate about $200,000 annually over 20 years to pay off bonds issued for construction.

"We lose a lot of students to Kansas and Oklahoma because they have some better facilities," said House Speaker Jim Kreider, a Southwest Missouri State graduate. "We'd like to keep them home and working in Missouri, and I think this is going to help a lot."