News : Extension proposal moving forward : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Extension proposal moving forward

By Bill Vander Weele
Published on Monday, January 12, 2009 11:04 AM MST

Sidney Herald

A proposal that allows the MSU Extension offices to be located next to the MSU Eastern Agriculture Research Center in Sidney should be heard by legislators sometime this week.

The resolution, being carried by Rep. Dave Kasten, R-Brockway, noted the Richland County commissioners have concluded that the agricultural community would be best served by combining the offices of the Richland County Extension Office with the Eastern Agricultural Research Center when the new research facility is constructed, and the commissioners have agreed to commit adequate financial resources to the facility construction and maintenance of office and meeting room space located within the research facility and occupied by the Extension office.

The resolution says that the Senate and House should resolve the following: The Board of Regents is authorized to accept grant funding up to $1.2 million from Richland County to be used for combining the offices of the Richland County Extension Office with the Eastern Agricultural Research Center.

Last week, the resolution was referred to the education committee on Tuesday and then re-referred to the appropriations committee on Thursday.

Rep. Walt McNutt, R-Sidney, serves as the vice chair of the appropriations committee. Kasten is another member of the committee.

McNutt tells the Herald that the resolution will be heard sometime this week in the long range planning subcommittee of appropriations.

“The resolution seeks spending authority for the combined project including research and extension of $1.2 million,” McNutt said. “I’m not hearing much about the request and see no reason for it not to pass.”

Residents are reminded that 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

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