Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                         (229) 931-2037 ssnyder@canes.gsw.edu

(229) 931-2072 fax

____________________________________________________________________________

June 8, 2010

State budget approved by governor, partial

 funding for GSW HHS Building included

 

            AMERICUS—The Governor’s Office today announced that House Bill 948, Georgia’s Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) budget, has been signed into law by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.

In all, the FY11 budget totals $17.9 billion, and $177 million of that is designated for projects at University System of Georgia institutions. A portion of that, $6.5 million, will partially fund Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) highly anticipated Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Building, allowing GSW to begin construction. The remainder of the $14.1 million needed to construct the project is expected to be in the state’s FY12 budget.

Funding for this project was not included in Governor Perdue’s budget recommendations in January, but local Rep. Mike Cheokas and Sen. George Hooks fought to have it included. As a result, House Bill 948 the project was partially funded at $6.5 million

“When the Governor released his initial budget I was convinced the project was dead, at least for this year,” said GSW President Kendall Blanchard. “But it is clear now that I underestimated the political skills and influence of our legislative delegation. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this project and how much I appreciate the good work of Rep. Cheokas and Sen. Hooks that has made it happen. This is clearly a great day for Georgia Southwestern and the larger community that it serves.” 

The HHS Building will house the School of Nursing, the Psychology and Sociology Department, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, and the University’s Health Center. It will be located adjacent to GSW’s Education Center on the corner of Glessner Street and Georgia Southwestern State University Drive.

Andras Allen Starr Architecture is responsible for the design, and Allstate Construction out of Tallahassee is the contractor.  Allstate President Bill Weldon is a native of Plains and a graduate of Georgia Southwestern.

A date for groundbreaking has not yet been set. For additional information, please call (229) 931-2037.

 Rendering of the new Health and Human Sciences Building

 - GSW -