State Budget Committee to Convene
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowSeveral significant projects could receive approval during Wednesday afternoon's Indiana State Budget Agency committee meeting in Indianapolis. Requests include major initiatives at state universities, as well as upgrades to some park, prison and administrative facilities. You can view the agenda by clicking here.
Ball State University is requesting more than $21 million for projects including a new planetarium.
Indiana State is seeking $33.6 million to pay for the 20-year lease of a yet-to-be-constructed student housing facility in downtown Terre Haute.
Ivy Tech Community College's requests total more than $75 million and include upgrades or expansions in Anderson, Gary and Bloomington.
The Indiana House of Representatives is asking for money to fund renovations to offices at the Statehouse.
Source: The State of Indiana
July 10, 2013
News Release
STATEHOUSE – Today, the State Budget Committee is expected to approve $75.7 million in funding for three Ivy Tech Community College projects, said State Sen. Luke Kenley (R-Noblesville).
The committee will meet at Ivy Tech's Meridian campus in Indianapolis to review funds for construction plans proposed by the college. The money will support the following projects:
-Constructing a new Ivy Tech building in Anderson, which will offer programs from four of the college's academic schools ($20 million in state funding; $4 million in donations)
-Continuing the expansion of Ivy Tech's Bloomington campus by adding new classrooms, offices, an auditorium and a wellness center ($20 million in state funding; $4 million in donations)
-Implementing the final phase of Ivy Tech – Fall Creek's expansion, which will add more space to allow for new degree programs ($23.1 million in state funding; $4.6 million in donations)
Kenley, who serves on the budget committee, said these projects will allow more Hoosier students to access higher education programs across the state.
“Ivy Tech serves a unique role by providing affordable, accessible education that's close to students' homes,” Kenley said. “Because of that specialized focus, the institution faces certain challenges and has different needs than many of our other colleges and universities. This funding will allow Ivy Tech to meet some of these needs and give more students the opportunity to earn college degrees.”
Currently, Ivy Tech is the nation’s largest statewide community college with single accreditation. Serving nearly 200,000 students each year, it is also the state’s largest public post-secondary institution.
Source: Indiana Senate Republicans