Senators Capito and Manchin support Fairmont State with nearly $7 million in federal funding

Fairmont State University received $6,890,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) through the offices of United States Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin. The funding will support upgrades to the nursing program facilities, renovations to the library, and improvements to campus security systems.

"We are grateful to Senators Capito and Manchin for their long-standing support of Fairmont State," said University President Dr. Mike Davis. "This federal funding will support investments that help make Fairmont State University a truly 'Great Place to Learn, to Work, and to Call Home'."

More than $3 million in CDS funds will support the relocation and expansion of the College of Nursing's Simulation Center. The Nursing Simulation Center will be moved from its current location in Colebank Hall to the Education Building, where the rest of the program is housed. The first floor of the Education Building will be renovated to accommodate the expanded Simulation Center, and equipment will be updated. With the vacancy rate of licensed professional nurses reaching 20%, Fairmont State aims for this CDS funding to support the future of West Virginia's healthcare by providing nursing students with top-grade education and filling a critical workforce need.

Additionally, $2.1 million in CDS funds will launch the first phase of renovations to the Ruth Ann Musick Library to create a centralized "learning commons" on campus to meet the needs of current and future students. Initially, this will involve working with an architect and engineering firm to redesign and reprogram the space to be more functional, attractive to students, and energy efficient. The vision is to enrich this space for student use, providing a place for creativity, exploration, and collaboration beyond the classroom. Upgrades to the building will also increase energy efficiency, which will improve Fairmont State's infrastructure and lower energy costs.

Finally, $1.7 million in CDS fund will be put towards campus security system upgrades. This includes enhancements to the card access systems of interior and exterior doors in residence halls and the Engineering Technology Building. Shifting to exclusively card access will reduce accidental lockouts and security breaches associated with traditional keyed entry.

"Receiving federal funding for these projects will have a tremendous impact on campus," said Christy Burner, Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs at Fairmont State University. "These appropriations will go directly towards improving essential educational facilities, enhancing campus security, and providing our students with the learning environment they need to achieve excellence."