BMCC Receives Simulus Money
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
As part of Oregon’s economic stimulus package, (SB338-A and SB556-A were passed by the legislature on Thursday) Blue Mountain Community College will receive $2,055,500 of the $53,566,600 allocated to Oregon’s 17 community colleges for deferred maintenance, renovation and construction projects. The state intends to sell Article XI-G and Lottery Revenue bonds to fund the projects.
BMCC will use the projected two million dollars to complete the college’s most pressing safety, security and energy-use projects on buildings across the college district. The highest priority projects address safety and security concerns and include installing security card-access doors, security cameras, upgraded fire alarms, fire alarm panels and related global notification and response devices, security lighting, and signage. Second-tier plans address aging infrastructure with replacement of 15 primary electrical transformers and associate electrical systems. With the goal of increasing energy efficiency, BMCC will upgrade HVAC systems, replace single-pane windows, and replace the leaking McCrae Activity Center roof and modify it to accommodate solar panels.
“These funds will not solve BMCC’s operating budget shortfall, caused by the recession and subsequent state revenue cutbacks,” said BMCC president John Turner. “However, with a quick turn-around, these building upgrades will inject cash into the northeast Oregon economy and help local businesses. It will also correct some long-deferred maintenance issues at the college.” Turner added, “The law strictly prohibits paying college employees with this money, as the intent is to create new jobs in the local economy.”
The Oregon legislature passed the bills to stimulate Oregon’s economy through job creation and retention. Strict standards guide the money’s use. A standardized format will be used for agency reporting, including the number of jobs created or retained, percentage of jobs filled by Oregon residents and the extent to which Oregon products, vendors, contractors and sub-contractors are used. Minority and women workers, emerging small businesses involvement and saving on energy costs for energy efficient projects will also be measured. The Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development will provide oversight for all community college projects. According to the Department of Administrative Services, “state agencies understand the expectations of the legislature to put this money out into the local economy versus funding their own staff.”
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