A plan for a new East Mississippi Community College nursing school and allied health facility has stalled before takeoff.
In June, the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors agreed to help fund construction of the facility -- on donated land near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport -- to also include a nursing school, pending participation from four other counties.
But one of the five counties in the EMCC district -- Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Noxubee and Kemper -- will not participate in funding the project.
The Clay County Board of Supervisors was the first to commit requested funding -- the equivalent of one mill -- to the project.
Additionally, EMCC officials had verbal commitments from Noxubee and Kemper counties, but the Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors did not pass a motion to commit funds.
"We simply don't have the funds right now," explained Oktibbeha County Board President John L. Young Sr. "We do support the school plan. We would hope that they would wait, as we suggested to them, until next year's budget term, when we have our reappraisal.
"We should see some growth in our assessed valuation of our property that will free up some money, so we can contribute to the program," he continued. "We just don't feel like this is the right time for us to commit to that project, but we do have every intention of supporting the project in (the 2010) budget year."
"I appreciate the serious consideration given to EMCC's request by all the supervisors in our district, especially during difficult economic times," said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young. "EMCC will renew its request to the counties in our district next year. In the meantime, we're pursuing other sources of funding.
"But a nursing school is more than the building it's housed in," Young added, noting EMCC will accept its first associate-degree nursing students in January and their excitement hasn't been diminished. "At EMCC, we're used to doing a lot with a little."
Planned to be located on five acres on Airport Road, the proposed 50,000-square-foot to 70,000-square-foot facility was expected to meet the needs of industries locating in Lowndes County, as well as attract those considering a location.
The Lowndes supervisors had voted to pay up to $525,000, likely over the next 20 years, to fund the project, which was planned to allow EMCC to handle classes of nearly 100 students.
The facility was projected to cost between $10 million and $20 million.
If anyone hadn't noticed, this makes a nursing program available to people who do not have the money to go to MUW. That is why a nursing program is needed. Thank you very much.
Everyone should heve the right to an education. Especially one they can afford. MUW is a good school, so I've heard....But I have also heard that they are so overwhelmed that it very hard to learn anything from them. However, even with all the rumors surrounding the "Darkness of MUW and the nursing instructors. Why should they be the only school in the regional area. People should have a choice. Yes, it would be a new program for EMCC but MUW had to start somewhere. They weren't always on top. Besides, with a program at EMCC, this may relieve some of the pressure on students and staff. Yes, nursing is a serious profession, but who said EMCC won't take it seriously. There are online colleges poppin' up everywhere and they are not all "Ivy League". "Ivy League" is nothing more than a brand. If I choose to buy "Great Value" cookies instead of "Chips A'hoy" the only thing I'm doing is saving a few bucks and may have gotten a few more cookies for my money. I got the same product for alot less. I know that EMCC's criteria is the exact same as MUW but I also know that the instructors there a little more personable. You get more one on one than at the bigger schools. I think they deserve the same chance to rise to fame as MUW had some 125 years ago.
Wow! It is interesting to see the different opinions out there regarding this topic....I agree with the previous comments. Everyone should have the right to an education and there should be choices available. The EMCC nursing school should not be viewed as competition but as another choice/option for individuals who want to become a part of the nursing profession.
I can not believe that this idea has made it this far. It makes absolutely no sense. Wouldn't it make more sense to put the 10 - 20 million towards increasing the size of the program at MUW?
MUW currently offers ASN, BSN, and MSN nursing programs, and they are one of the best in the state. Putting 10-20 million dollars towards a start-up program in the same area seems pretty crazy. Especially when you consider the fact that they can only offer ASN degrees. Wouldn't it make more sense to put that same amount towards developing ASN, BSN, and MSN students?
Is this project intended to push the Golden Triangle forward or just EMCC?
If anyone hadn't noticed, this makes a nursing program available to people who do not have the money to go to MUW. That is why a nursing program is needed. Thank you very much.
MUW prides itself on an excellent nursing program as it should. With the shortage in nursing instructors,opening another nursing program is not needed. Instead of opening another facility use the funds as grants for students who can not afford to attend MUW.A nursing education should be from a school with a proven track record. An education in nursing is not something to be taken lightly.Peoples lives are in the hands of nurses everyday.I am not in favor of "nursing schools" popping up in all directions. MUW provides the best nursing education in the state.As far as being a stuck up school,if that is the case MUW has earned that right by providing a higher standard of education. Just consider MUW as an Ivy League education. An education from MUW looks better on an application than a start up school without the reputation to back it up.
Wow, and it only costs 20 million dollars.
Teresa, while we are at it, could you please
include a discounted amusement park as well?
It would make an amusement park available to
people who do not have the money to go to
Disney World.