Construction scheduled to begin in April for Extension, MSU ag research facility

After a meeting last week, Richland County commissioners approved a design for the new Extension office to be part of the building project at the MSU-Eastern Ag Research Center in Sidney.

“We’re going to go ahead with it,” Commissioner Mark Rehbein said.

The county’s share for the project, which was approved by the Montana Legislature, is $700,000 for the Extension office and meeting rooms.

“It’s favorable,” Commissioner Loren Young said of the plans for the Extension office.

One area of concern for commissioners is that the facility has to be made based on Montana state standards. That meant less office space and different storage rooms that the county originally planned.

“It will make offices a little smaller than what we thought they would be. But it will be livable,” Rehbein said.

Commissioners said the bid process for the entire project will begin in January. Construction is planned to start in April. Commissioners said the entire project will cost $3.2-$3.3 million.

Wayne Berry, chairman of the Joint MSU Eastern Agricultural Research center/NDSU Williston Research Extension Center Advisory Board, commended the Richland County commissioners for their vision for the future and their financial support for the joint MSU Eastern Ag Research Center/County Extension Service building project.

MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center Superintendent Jerry Bergman stated the integration of research and extension staff in one building will improve both research and Extension outreach and joint efforts.

Richland County will be the first and only one in Montana that has Extension and a MSU agriculture research station at the same location.

“It’s the future,” Commissioner Don Steppler said of having the offices together. “It makes sense to combine them so research and Extension can go forward.”

On a side note, commissioners interviewed four candidates for the Extension position vacated by Ben Larson. They will make their recommendation to the MSU Extension director.

editor@sidneyherald.com