FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2005

CONTACT: Dan Farough (517) 373-2093 Don Hazaert (517) 373-5225

PRUSI & BROWN RESTORE FUNDING FOR MICHIGAN TECH
$10 Million for Classroom and Maintenance Upgrades Approved

HOUGHTON - State Sen. Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) and Rep. Rich Brown (D-Bessemer) today were successful in their efforts to restore $10 million in funding for classroom and other campus upgrades at Michigan Technological University.

“Michigan Technological University is an outstanding school with top-rated academic standards,” said Prusi. “These improvements will provide increased classroom safety and access to Michigan students and have the potential to create over 100 construction-related jobs in the area.”

The funding is expected to support as many as 160 construction-related jobs in the area. It will allow for improvements to university classrooms and labs, as well as to the campus’ electrical substation and utility system. Prusi and Brown worked diligently to save the funding from an unrelated partisan squabble that temporarily jeopardized the projects.

“I am greatly pleased by today’s Senate action that restored funding to Michigan Technological University,” Brown said. “MTU is a tremendous asset to the Upper Peninsula. This important learning institution plays a vital role in providing our young people with the skills they need to compete for the high-tech jobs of tomorrow.”

Prusi and Brown also anticipate tomorrow’s Joint Capital Outlay approval of university spending authorization for self-funded university projects that include apartment building costs and upgrades to Meyland Hall at Northern Michigan University and the Seaman’s Mineralogical Museum at Michigan Technological University.

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Mike Prusi serves as Democratic Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He represents the 38th Senate District, which includes 13 of the 15 Upper Peninsula counties.