Gov. Jindall Signs Legislation Providing $251M for 29 Education Construction Projects
Gov. Bobby Jindal was joined by supporters, advocates and leaders of community at the Alexandria Campus of the Central Louisiana Technical Community College to sign into law Louisiana Senate Bill 204 (SB 204), announced the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS).
By Eliza Theiss, Associate Editor
Gov. Bobby Jindal was joined by supporters, advocates and community leaders at the Alexandria Campus of the Central Louisiana Technical Community College to sign into law Louisiana Senate Bill 204 (SB 204), according to a spokesperson for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS). The bill provides $251.6 million for 29 projects at Louisiana Community and Technical College campuses and covers the financing of new technical education programs and construction of new facilities as well as upgrades and expansion of existing ones. Of the 29 projects 25 are workforce, three student testing, career and service facilities and one is a safety related project. Construction will include creating new training areas and workshops in industries such as nursing, aviation, welding, construction and information technology—some of Louisiana’s key and up-and-coming industries. Furthermore, over 5,300 new training stations—an increase of 50 percent—will be added across The Pelican State. New stations will increase the number of students receiving training in high demand and high pay industries to almost 41,000 trainees. Moreover, upon completion, education facilities will be able to expand their curriculums.
“The signing of Senate Bill 204 by Governor Jindal signifies the state’s commitment to ensure that Louisiana’s community and technical colleges will continue to solve the problems faced by employers, build strong communities, strengthen our state’s economy, and create a growing middle-class,” declared LCTCS President Joe May, who added, “It will also enable us to maintain the course—one of unprecedented enrollment growth, record numbers of graduates, and 21st Century program development aligned with business and industry.”
SB 204 was authored by Senator Robert Adley (R) and co-sponsored by 29 other members of the Louisiana State Senate’s total of 39 members. Co-sponsors included members of both parties. Twelve percent of the bill’s funding or approximately $34.3 million, will be provided by local, private matching funds.
Thirteen projects will be located in rural areas, while 16 will target urban areas. Targeted facilities in the Greater Baton Rouge Area include the Northshore Technical Community College Workforce Training Center in Livingston Parish, the River Parishes Community College Center for Advanced Technologies Building in Gonzales and Baton Rouge Community College’s Workforce Training Center and the Smiley Heights Technology Center, both in Baton Rouge.
Image courtesy of the Baton Rouge Community College Facebook page
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