|
|
|
Herkimer, N.Y. —
Herkimer County Community College is seeking support from the county legislature to secure $1.5 million in state funding for the construction of a Living Learning Health Sciences Center.
A motion during a meeting of the Ways and Means, Properties and Education committees after a Herkimer County Legislature meeting Wednesday afternoon was carried to approve a resolution in support of college’s resolution.
The resolution stipulates the construction of the Living Learning Health Science Center will cost $3 million, but the college is seeking a 50/50 grant with the state — 50 percent from the state and 50 percent from local sources that have yet to be determined, said Nicholas Laino, vice president of administration and finance at the college.
“If we don’t receive the local share, we cannot access the state, but it’s basically securing use to get into (the state’s) budget,” Laino said.
The academic building is part of the larger assisted living facility the college and Valley Health Services proposed in April 2012.
The funding the college is seeking, Laino said, is in addition to the regional economic development council’s $1.83 million recently award to Valley Health Services to develop a housing facility for seniors and train 20 workers.
Legislator Helen Rose, D - Herkimer, said she thinks the project is a great idea, but wanted more information.
“This is backwards,” she said. “This body should’ve been brought in somewhere along the way.”
Ways and Means Chairman Patrick Russell, R - Old Forge, agreed with Rose.
Russell suggested having the college and Valley Health Services give a presentation to provide more information. A meeting has been set for 6:45 p.m. on Monday in the legislative chambers of the county office building at 109 Mary St., Herkimer.
“This happened quickly, but I think we need to step back” and assess the situation, he said.
Herkimer County Community College is seeking support from the county legislature to secure $1.5 million in state funding for the construction of a Living Learning Health Sciences Center.
A motion during a meeting of the Ways and Means, Properties and Education committees after a Herkimer County Legislature meeting Wednesday afternoon was carried to approve a resolution in support of college’s resolution.
The resolution stipulates the construction of the Living Learning Health Science Center will cost $3 million, but the college is seeking a 50/50 grant with the state — 50 percent from the state and 50 percent from local sources that have yet to be determined, said Nicholas Laino, vice president of administration and finance at the college.
“If we don’t receive the local share, we cannot access the state, but it’s basically securing use to get into (the state’s) budget,” Laino said.
The academic building is part of the larger assisted living facility the college and Valley Health Services proposed in April 2012.
The funding the college is seeking, Laino said, is in addition to the regional economic development council’s $1.83 million recently award to Valley Health Services to develop a housing facility for seniors and train 20 workers.
Legislator Helen Rose, D - Herkimer, said she thinks the project is a great idea, but wanted more information.
“This is backwards,” she said. “This body should’ve been brought in somewhere along the way.”
Ways and Means Chairman Patrick Russell, R - Old Forge, agreed with Rose.
Russell suggested having the college and Valley Health Services give a presentation to provide more information. A meeting has been set for 6:45 p.m. on Monday in the legislative chambers of the county office building at 109 Mary St., Herkimer.
“This happened quickly, but I think we need to step back” and assess the situation, he said.
