STROUP PRAISES TEAMWORK LEADING TO BUILDING PROGRESS

Southeast Missouri State University President Kala Stroup Friday had words of praise for Gov. Mel Carnahan, area legislators, regents, and many others who she said provided the teamwork needed to move a proposed College of Business building closer to reality.

"Things like this are not accomplished without everyone working together to make it happen," said Stroup. "Many, many individuals have helped us with this project and we are very pleased Gov. Carnahan put it in his budget."

On Thursday evening, the Missouri Senate approved a measure passed earlier this year by the House, sending a $250-million general obligation bond issue to voters in the November general election. Funds from the sale of bonds would be used for higher education capital improvement projects and for new corrections facilities.

Among the 18 specific projects on college campuses around the state is $12.3 million earmarked for the College of Business at Southeast. Only three other higher education projects have a higher state allocation.

Stroup and Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, agreed that one factor which made the business building proposal attractive to the governor and legislators is the $2.4 million raised locally to support the project.

"We raised our money locally with an impressive show," said Kinder. "No one else in the state can match the money we raised. That helped establish our case and the need has been amply demonstrated."

Originally, the governor's budget had just over $12.6 million earmarked for the business building. But projects were appropriated by House and Senate budget panels at 97.43 percent to free up funds for community college projects in the state that were not part of Carnahan's package.

Stroup said because of the reduction, Southeast officials will have to raise more money locally or revise building plans slightly.

Community college projects include $5.5 million for design, renovation and construction statewide.

The corrections component of the bond package includes $89 million for construction of additional women's prison facilities, and one of the sites under consideration for a prison is Fredericktown.

Several other correctional facilities are included in the bill, including additional beds for the Division of Youth Services.

The College of Business building has been the university's top capital priority for several years, but there has never been a state funding source available to pay for the project.

"We are very pleased with the help from legislators like Rep. Mary Kasten, Sen. Kinder, Sen. Jerry Howard, and all of the Southeast Missouri delegation who worked very hard to keep our business building on the agenda," Stroup said.

"They all worked together to keep the building as a high priority throughout the session. We are very appreciative of them, and the leadership of the House and Senate who were very supportive."

But while university officials, like those at Southeast, were delighted by the news of the bond proposal making it through the General Assembly, the reality of a statewide campaign has not been forgotten. Much work lies ahead.

"This project has been a long, uphill climb and now we are poised to get it, if the people approve this method of financing," said Kinder.

The senator feels it could be a tough sell with voters, but thinks a key will be having local officials across the state sell the importance of their projects.

Stroup is optimistic because she feels there is a great awareness of the need for the building at Southeast around the region.

Said Stroup, "We've been working on this project very hard for four years. Over the last year and a half to two years, we have been out in the communities talking about this building."

She noted that alumni, the College of Business Advisory Board, chambers of commerce and foundation members have all endorsed the project.

"We are counting on all of them for their help to demonstrate to the voters how significant this is for growth and development," Stroup said.

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said he believes the bill has a good chance with voters.

"It is entirely appropriate that we do this. Missouri is one of the most debt-free states in the nation and there is no reason not to do this," said Thomason.

Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, said the resolution made it through the legislature by wide margins because there are projects in the areas of most lawmakers.

"Our bonding rate in Missouri is excellent and we can easily pay them off from general revenue without jeopardizing our credit rating or financial condition," said Staples.

"You could call it deficit spending, but we don't have any other choice. We need the additional prison space and the higher education facilities are badly needed. I think this amounts to an investment in our state."