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St. Mary's College research center remains in governor's budget; college and commissioners debate county pledge and fundraising timeline
Summary
College leaders and commissioners discussed a $1 million county pledge toward a $2.5 million local fundraising requirement that will unlock state design funding already listed in the governor's budget. The college must demonstrate fundraising progress by the end of the calendar year to keep the project moving, officials said.
Representatives from St. Mary's College and county finance staff briefed commissioners on a state-level funding opportunity for a new academic/research building and auditorium. The governor's proposed budget contains design funding for the project, but college and state officials said the project requires a local fundraising match: the college must demonstrate progress toward a $2.5 million local fundraising goal for the state to continue full support in later construction phases.
College representatives asked the board to consider a $1 million county pledge toward the $2.5 million local requirement. Commissioners debated whether to include a $1 million placeholder in the FY2018 CIP or to defer a county commitment while fundraising continues. Commission members expressed concern about tying county funds to uncertain state and legislative approvals and urged the college to accelerate private fundraising efforts. The college representative noted that the governor's inclusion of design money in the FY2017 package made the project more viable but that the college needed an actionable fundraising plan to keep the momentum.
County staff briefed the board on schedule constraints: the college needs some local funding commitment or demonstrable progress by the end of the calendar year so the state can justify adding future construction funding. Commissioners asked staff to leave a FY2018 placeholder in the CIP and to reassess mid-year as fundraising results become available. Several commissioners also emphasized they would not commit to a county contribution that would compromise county fiscal capacity or other higher-priority capital needs.
Why this matters: A new research center could bring state funds and campus facilities that county leaders say might support local economic development and workforce training. Commissioners said they want to support the college but stressed due diligence, fundraising transparency and timing before committing taxpayer money.
Next steps: The college will continue fundraising and report progress to county staff; commissioners asked that the item remain in the FY2018 CIP as a placeholder and that staff revisit the issue later in the year as fundraising results and legislative actions clarify state support.
