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Covering state lawmakers, bills, and policy emerging from Jefferson City.

MSU-West Plains Celebrates New Funding for Facility Improvements

MSU-West Plains

Gov. Jay Nixon is touting $1.7 million in facility improvements at Missouri State University-West Plains as part of the Building Affordability initiative.

During a stop on the campus today, Nixon says more than $1.5 million will go toward converting the 8,200 square foot post office building into an academic facility, to be named Hass-Darr Hall. Upon completion in 2018, the hall will provide space for the Carol Silvey Student Union, William and Virginia Darr Honors Program, classroom and administrative office space, as well as tutoring, veterans, and advising services. The entire project is estimated at between $4.5 and $5 million, which will be covered with a combination of donor and university reserve funds.

Another $220,000 will be used to install new sprinkler systems and fire panels in several buildings on the West Plains campus, including Garnett Library, Putnam Student Center, and Looney Hall. Currently, these facilities are without a sprinkler system and fire alarm panel.

The Building Affordability initiative passed with bi-partisan support in the General Assembly this year, offering $200 million for improvements to higher education campuses throughout the state.

This past August, Gov. Nixon visited the Missouri State University campus in Springfield to announce more than $17 million in improvements, including renovations at Ellis and Hill halls, and various system upgrades throughout campus.