Gov. Tim Pawlenty came to Minnesota State University, Mankato Jan. 13 to endorse the university's $32.9 million bonding request for renovation and expansion of Trafton Science Center, as well as funding for a new Mankato transportation building.
The governor recommended the Trafton Science Center project at a press conference in Taylor Center. At the same event Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau endorsed $18.23 million in bonding for a new Department of Transportation district headquarters building in Mankato.
A video of the remarks by the governor and lieutenant governor can be viewed on the Minnesota State Mankato website at http://msustr0.campus.mnsu.edu:8080/its/20060113pawlenty.wmv
Photo by John Cross
Minnesota State University President Richard Davenport on Friday showed Gov. Tim Pawlenty where Trafton is, and where its new addition will go. Pawlenty and Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau held a press conference at MSU where they pledged support for the $33 million Trafton project, and for an $18.2 million project that would give the Mankato headquarters of the Minnesota Department of Transportation a new facility in town.
"Colleges and universities in Minnesota are vital in our efforts to lead the nation in science and technology," the governor said in announcing his support for the Trafton legislative proposal. "The new, state-of-the-art facilities housed in Trafton Science Center will help us achieve that goal.
"We have to have magnetic qualities in places like Minnesota State Mankato," he added. Those qualities are here, he said, and "we want to make sure they stay here, and grow here."
The Trafton project, if approved by the Legislature when it convenes in March, will add 70,000 square feet of science laboratory space and remodel an additional 32,000 square feet of space.
The governor's announcement was part of a statewide tour highlighting key proposals in this year's capitol bonding bill. The governor's bonding proposal will be outlined Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport introduced the governor, and John Frey, dean of the College of Science & Engineering Technology, answered questions from some of the 70 people attending.
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