Bills Signed By Governor Will Benefit NCMC

Two of three bills signed by Gov. Jay Nixon on Friday will provide funding to help North Central Missouri College renovate Geyer Hall.
The bills signed into law total $300 million in bonding for repairs to veterans homes, state buildings and colleges and universities. Of that amount more than $160 million is designated for delayed maintenance and other repairs for public colleges and universities, including NCMC.
According to NCMC President Dr. Nuttall, NCMC would receive $1.5 million of bonding money, which would be used to renovate Geyer Hall along with another $1.4 million of 50/50 money the college had previously been awarded by the state and was re-authorized by the governor on Friday. The $1.4 million is being matched with money NCMC received from the estate of Franklin and Frederick Bosley, giving the college $4.3 million to help fund the renovation work.
Dr. Nuttall said the capital campaign “Preserving the Past and Focusing on the Future” will be attempting to raise another $400,000 toward the project. By doing this, Dr. Nuttall anticipates the renovation work to be completed without having to borrow any funds.
The college is currently working with architects on a final design and once that is approved, bids for the project will be sought. Work is anticipated to begin sometime in the early to mid fall with completion prior to the start of classes in the fall of 2016.
Several other state universities and colleges will be receiving repair money as well, including Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville and Missouri Western University at St. Joseph. The St. Joseph News-Press reports Missouri Western will receive $4.6 million for work at Wilson, Popplewell, Potter, Eder and Murphy Halls as well as the Hearnes Center and the Looney Complex. At Northwest, $6.8 million will be used for window replacement, electrical systems and plant refurbishment.
Bills signed by the governor on Friday also benefited Missouri’s seven veterans home, providing funds for repair and renovation projects. Among the homes to receive mone will be the Cameron Veterans Home, which plans to replace its sprinkler pipe systems, chiller, water softeners, cooling tower, boilers and exterior doors as well as upgrade its electrical system. The Missouri State Capitol, along with other state buildings and state parks, will also receive repair and renovation money.