A project for an addition to the University of North Georgia's Cumming Campus took an initial step toward becoming a reality recently when the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia included one million dollars in planning and design funds in its Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget Request.
Additionally, the USG request submitted to the state Office of Planning and Budget includes $19.5 million for the construction of a new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation on the Dahlonega Campus and $2.3 million to equip the former Lanier Tech space on the Gainesville Campus. The three UNG projects included in USG's Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget Request total $22.8 million. Additional approval by the governor and legislators is required as part of the state budgeting process.
"Northeast Georgia has experienced tremendous growth and that trend is projected to continue. Expansion of our facilities is key so that we can meet the increased demand for higher education in the region," President Bonita Jacobs said. "We are very grateful for the support of the University System of Georgia staff, the Board of Regents, and our legislators for recognizing this need and for their support of these important projects at UNG."
Capital fund projects are typically funded over a period of three years. The first year is for planning and design, the second year is for construction, and the third year is for equipment. If approved, the $19.5 million requested for the new home for UNG's Mike Cottrell College of Business would fund the construction phase of the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation. The project got a boost from a $10 million gift from its namesake benefactor in June and $2.3 million for planning and design in the state's Fiscal Year 2020 budget approved in April.
The third UNG project included in the Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget Request, renovation of the property adjacent to the Gainesville Campus that formerly housed Lanier Technical College, would fund equipment and supplies if approved. The fiscal year 2020 state budget included $13.6 million for renovations, which started this fall on the $18.9 million project.
