Council supports life sciences center
Published Feb. 21, 2006
The City Council passed a resolution Monday stating it was in support of several capital improvements to enhance life sciences research at MU.
MU could receive a new Health Sciences Research Center, a new Plant Sciences Research Center and a new Life Sciences Incubator, which could be financed by the partial sale of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, also known as MOHELA.
"We are very much in favor of the construction of the buildings because it is really good for the state, the university and Columbia," Mayor Darwin Hindman said. "We want the university to be a great institution."
The partial sale of MOHELA, which is expected to bring in more than $400 million, still has several hurdles to clear. House Republicans presented a plan earlier this month that would divert substantially less funds to capital improvements. Attorney General Jay Nixon also has filed a lawsuit saying the meetings held before the sale violated state open records laws.
The proposed Health Sciences Research Center and Plant Sciences Center would be two major areas of strength in Columbia, said Jim Cullman, associate vice provost for research. He also said the benefits from this research would not only help Columbia but also the world.
Fifth Ward Councilwoman Laura Nauser said the two new buildings would help Columbia's economy grow.
"I think the economy would increase as these research institutes develop and grow," Nauser said. "It will bring in building construction revenue, additional employees to the area and would be an invitation for companies to come here. Overall, it would result in our workforce increasing."
Another component of the resolution that would attract businesses to the area is the incubator, Cullman said. The incubator would be a building that has space to allow new companies to do laboratory-type work or high-tech manufacturing.
"It is a sort of high-tech spin-off corporate endeavor that has potential to benefit Columbia as a whole," Cullman said.
Also, because not all scientists have managed businesses before, the new incubator would have personnel to advise and inform the scientists about how to run their businesses, Cullman said.
"It will employ people who live as members of the community and also spend their money in Columbia," he said.
Cullman said he thinks the City Council's resolution is a positive first step because it shows that the city and university are working together.
Hindman said he thinks MU is conducive to having these three research centers built because the school has a variety of disciplines.
"We have this type of opportunity to expand the university, and we should jump on it," Hindman said. "We want to keep attracting bright students to the area and improve the quality of life for Columbia residents."