New research facility at UNL moves closer to final approval

A new research building to house University of Nebraska-Lincoln and U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists working on crop genetics, water quality and biomass research moved closer to reality with committee approval of a Senate appropriations bill Thursday.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $2 million from the USDA Agricultural Research Service for the facility as part of the agriculture appropriations bill. The bill still needs full Senate approval.

The $2 million appropriation is the second phase in a three-phase process for securing federal funding for the facility. Last year, at Sen. Ben Nelson's request, the Senate directed the ARS to conduct a feasibility study for a facility to accommodate collaborative research efforts involving ARS and UNL scientists in Nebraska. The ARS study outlined construction of a $49 million, 70,000-square-foot facility to be built on federal land at the site of the vacant Pershing Army Reserve Center adjacent to UNL's East Campus.

The $2 million request, if approved, would cover design and engineering costs for the building. The remaining cost of the building would be funded through federal appropriations in subsequent years. No state funds will be used for construction or maintenance of the facility.

"New research space is always a priority need at any university, and this facility will enable us to expand important agricultural research programs that include both UNL and Agricultural Research Service scientists working at UNL," said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. "We are very pleased that the ARS has supported this project and we want to thank Sen. Nelson for his leadership in requesting this funding."

Research conducted in the facility will produce higher-yielding crops tolerant of disease and drought, evaluate biomass crops, such as switchgrass, as potential renewable energy sources, and develop systems and technologies to help manage water quality and quantity.

"This new facility will provide cutting-edge laboratory space to support research that is critically important to Nebraska -- improved crops, bioenergy sources and protection of our water resources," said Prem Paul, UNL vice chancellor for research.

CONTACTS: Monica Norby, Asst. Vice Chancellor, Research, (402) 472-3554
Vicki Miller, Research Communications Coordinator, (402) 472-3813