Community support needed

The MSU Eastern Agriculture Research Center capital campaign committee is looking for additional private donations to revamp the center. Because of an increase of anticipated expenses, the project costs more than what was originally planned.

Richland County commissioners met with Jeff Jacobsen, dean and director for the MSU College of Agriculture, and the project’s architect Al Ropaz via a conference call Monday. Jacobsen told county officials the $2.3 million core project, which includes the office, lab, greenhouse and supporting areas, is $575,000 away from being fully funded. That amount does not include a new extension office and a large meeting room, which the county has committed to paying for.

The 2006 Montana Legislature approved $1.6 million for the improvements if one-fourth of the amount is raised locally.

However, contractors say the amount is not enough. “[It’s a] combination of a global appetite for things and then we’ve delayed a year already,” Jacobsen told commissioners. “Costs have gone up in that time frame although bids are better.”

Sen. Don Steinbeisser, R-Sidney, who is head of the fundraising for the project, told the Herald Wednesday that actual additional funds needed are at about $400,000. Due to the state of the economy, construction costs should be cheaper. He said he’s confident they will raise the money.

The capital campaign has already raised $450,000 for the project.

A legislative bill is being drafted for approval of spending authority. Steinbeisser, Rep. Walt McNutt, R-Sidney, and Rep. Dave Kasten, R-Brockway, are all supporters of the building.

“We can’t raise that (amount) by Jan. 1, so we have to go to the Legislature and get spending authority,” Steinbeisser said. Money will come from private funds and are tax-deductible. The bill will be submitted by Monday.

“I’m upbeat on this thing. We need to raise another $400,000, and I think we can do this, but I think it’ll take at least 2009 to do that,” he said. Because the bill must pass both houses in Congress, the bill won’t be approved until early March. There is still a small risk that the state could back out of its part of the agreement, Steinbeisser said.

Richland County commissioners have offered $250,000 to fund an addition for Extension at the facility, but the county can go no further with planning Extension offices until necessary funds have been reached. “I’m all for making it work, but I think since they’ve pretty much designed the core project, they’ve got to make that work first because I think we’ve been pretty generous with that so far,” County Commissioner Mark Rehbein said at Monday’s meeting.

This information comes after architect Ropaz informed commissioners of the construction plans that have already been made.

Although no specific deadline was set, Jacobsen implied that if the money isn’t raised soon, the project might not move forward. Steinbeisser said he is confident the funds will be raised.

“We’re going to do this thing. It’s going to happen,” Steinbeisser said.

Commissioners said they hope to speak with local state senators and MSU Eastern Agriculture Research Center Director Jerry Bergman next week about the project.

Those who would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the capital campaign project may make checks payable to LRBP-COA with “EARC” on the memo and sent to EARC, 1501 N. Central Ave., Sidney, MT 59270. Gift levels are as follows:

• Donor: Up to $999

• Friend: $1,000 to $4,999

• Builder: $5,000 to $9,999

• Leader: $10,000 to $99,000

• Founder: $100,000 and up

reporter@sidneyherald.com