JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt’s plan for Missouri colleges and universities provided nearly $23 million to benefit students around the state and help secure Missouri’s role as a higher education leader. The $22,852,352 payment distribution is the second of the $335 million total that Gov. Blunt secured for Missouri students and classrooms through his Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative.

"This funding is helping to secure Missouri’s role as a leader in higher education while providing our students with state of the art learning centers so they are equipped to effectively compete in the global economy," Blunt said. "Missourians can be proud that we have secured this long overdue investment in capital projects for our students on campuses across the state."

The following universities and colleges received funding today:

• Harris Stowe State University Children and Parent Education Center, $151,118
• Missouri Southern State University Health Sciences Building, $254,386
• Missouri Western State University Agenstein Science and Math Facility, $32,990
• University of Missouri – Kansas City Dental Equipment, $1,627,838
• University of Missouri – Rolla Engineering Building, $786,020
• Community Colleges (Crowder College, Jefferson College, Metropolitan Community College, Mineral Area College, Moberly Area Community College, North Central Missouri College, Ozarks Technical Community College, St. Louis Community College, State Fair Community College, and Three Rivers Community College) $20,000,000

The governor’s landmark Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the state. The partnership, authorized through legislation and supported by lawmakers, reinvests a state asset to generate $335 million to strengthen Missouri’s colleges and universities for students. The Department of Higher Education and the Office of Administration are working with universities and colleges to process the funding.

Payment amounts reimburse 4-year colleges and universities for actual expenditures and are determined by information provided by the institutions each month. Community college payment amounts are set at $2 million and distributed by request. Under the Governor’s plan, the $335 million will be distributed over the next five years to maximize the benefit to students and ensure as many projects may be completed as quickly as possible.

The historic initiative takes an enormous stride forward for higher education in our state and provides much needed funding for state-of-the-art learning and research centers. The new learning centers will prepare students to compete in today’s global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for students’ future success.

For a complete list of projects funded by the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative and for more information visit http://www.ded.mo.gov/lcdi.