CARTHAGE, Mo. — Jasper County commissioners on Tuesday approved an application to send $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the county received to Missouri Southern State University for its planned $42 million Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center.
University officials say the center, which will reshape the traditional campus oval, will start construction with a groundbreaking April 11.
Commissioner Darieus Adams said MSSU approached the county about using ARPA money for the project in November.
“We’ve got everything done and all the applications in, and today’s vote was another part of the process,” Adams said. “Our clearinghouse looked at it and said it was OK, so we’ll give them the money soon.”
Adams said the county will consult with MSSU for the best time for a check presentation and deliver the money possibly by the end of February or the first of March.
Jasper County received around $23.5 million in ARPA funds in two distributions in 2021 and 2022.
The university has been working since 2021 to raise $15 million to match about $22.5 million in state and federal money provided for the project.
The estimated price of the building rose from around $38 million to about $42 million after the architects finished their renderings and drawings late in 2023.
Mark Scott, a spokesman for MSSU, said the university could approach the state for additional funds to cover the difference and will continue to raise funds for the project as well as additional scholarships through the Lions Forward campaign.
Scott said the county’s donation puts MSSU at almost $14 million of the original goal of $15 million.
In January, the MSSU Board of Governors voted unanimously to name the center after retired U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, who was vital to securing federal money that could be used to match state money for the project.
“Missouri Southern is grateful Jasper County has chosen to use ARPA funds to enhance health and life science education through the construction of the Roy Blunt Health Science Innovation Center,” Missouri Southern President Dean Van Galen said in a statement. “This $42 million immersive learning facility, set to open in August 2026, will allow Missouri Southern to provide outstanding educational opportunities and to increase the number of graduates in areas of critical need to the region. The Jasper County Commission, along with other elected officials, have given a resounding vote of confidence to the future direction of Missouri Southern and the role its health and life science graduates will play in the quality of life for generations of Jasper County residents. We are extraordinarily thankful.”
Adams said the county was happy to support a project that will have long-term benefits in Jasper County and across the state.
“That whole place is very innovative in the way they’ll approach health sciences education with all the simulators and all that hands-on kind of stuff,” Adams said. “Anytime you can participate and support something that’s going to benefit generations to come, we’re glad we could be a part of that.”
