State budgets $8M for Ivy Tech

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Local and state officials had reason to celebrate Monday as the Indiana General Assembly approved $8 million in construction money for Ivy Tech's new campus in Greencastle.

Greencastle Mayor Nancy Michael, who joined Ivy Tech's Wabash Valley Chancellor Jeff Pittman, Sen. Connie Lawson, Rep. Amos Thomas and others in petitioning for the money, was thrilled with the news Tuesday morning.

"This is a historic and pivotal moment in Greencastle history," Michael said. "We are grateful to Connie Lawson on the Senate side and Amos Thomas on the House side."

The mayor also thanked the community for its support of the project.

"They were key in convincing the legislature that we have a strong partnership with the university," Michael said.

Lawson commented, "This campus will be an extraordinary benefit to our community and will give Hoosiers in this area the opportunity to get a college education. I would like to thank Rep. Amos Thomas, former Rep. Andy Thomas and Mayor Nancy Michael for their assistance and persistence on this project."

Pittman, unfortunately, could not be reached for comment Tuesday morning, but he told the BannerGraphic earlier this year that he was optimistic the money would be approved for the project.

He thanked the mayor and the community for their commitment to the project.

"They have been very supportive," he said.

Pittman said in January that if the legislature approved the money, the project could begin in late 2007 or early 2008, with completion in 2010.

Ivy Tech is planning a 42,000-square-foot building at the corner of Ind. 240 and First Street (Percy Julian Drive), across from Greencastle Middle School.

The city has said it will donate the land, known as Rokicki Park, to Ivy Tech for its campus.

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