Governor Jennifer Granholm has issued a 2008 Executive Budget Recommendation for Capital Outlay that calls for the renovation of the Pray-Harrold classroom building on the Eastern Michigan University campus. If approved by the Legislature, the $57 million renovation is expected to bring more than 120 high-paying, construction-related jobs to eastern Washtenaw County.
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PRAY-HARROLD IN PLAY: Pray-Harrold, Eastern
Michigan University's largest and oldest classroom
building, is included for renovation in Gov. Jennifer
Granholm's 2008 Executive Budget Recommendation
for Capital Outlay. Granholm has recommended that
state bonds be used to cover $44 million of the costs
related to the project. |
"The Governor's plan recognizes what an important partner EMU is to the economic future of Southeast Michigan," said EMU Executive Vice President and Provost Don Loppnow. "When combined with the ongoing $100 million renovation to our Mark Jefferson Science Complex that is financed by the University, the Pray-Harrold project will allow EMU to be a driving force in preparing Michigan's workforce to successfully compete in a global economy by positively impacting the education of thousands of students."
In the near term, EMU officials expect the renovation of Pray-Harrold to bring more than 120 construction-related jobs to eastern Washtenaw County and generate tens of millions of dollars in regional economic activity.
The Governor has recommended that state bonds be used to pick up $44 million of the costs related to the project. This amount includes $4 million in alternative energy incentives. EMU would finance the remaining portion of the project through the sale of bonds that are supported through tuition and fee revenue.
"The significance of a state funded project like Pray-Harrold can not be overstated," said EMU Chief Government Relations Officer Freman Hendrix. "Not only does it demonstrate the Governor's strong commitment to higher education, the impact of a $57 million project in Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County will also have a lasting impact on the area economy."
