Two major construction projects at the University of North Georgia have received more than $4 million in funding in the State of Georgia's FY 2022 budget. Gov. Brian Kemp signed the spending plan, which totals $23.7 billion, on Monday, May 10.
The state money will help finance a new business building on the Dahlonega campus and a building expansion on the Cumming campus.
"Our region continues to experience tremendous growth, and expansion of our facilities is key so that we can meet the increased demand for higher education in the area," President Bonita Jacobs said in a statement released on Wednesday. "We are very grateful for the support of Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, state legislators, the Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia staff for recognizing this need and for their support of these important projects."
Some $3.2 million in funding will finance equipment for the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Scheduled to open for classes in fall 2022, the new 86,483-square-foot home for the Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB) will serve as the hub for business and computer science programs with specialized labs, student engagement spaces, and high technology classrooms, all designed to enhance student learning.
A $10 million gift from Mike Cottrell, the college's namesake benefactor, and wife Lynn Cottrell, along with $21.8 million in state funds for design and construction, paved the way for the new building.
Information from UNG said the latest allocation represents the third and final phase of state funding for the project. Large-scale capital projects typically are funded over a period of three years. The first year is for planning and design, the second year is for construction, and the third year is for equipment.
The UNG Cumming campus will benefit from a $1 million allocation in the FY 2022 budget. The funding is specifically allocated for planning and design funds for the expansion of the current academic building in Cumming.
Enrollment at the Cumming campus has doubled since the campus opened in August 2012; it now serves nearly 1,400 students. As a result of that growth, including a 6.4% increase from fall 2019 to fall 2020, UNG has capped dual enrollment of high school students at the campus and has moved two graduate programs, the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Science in counseling, to operate off-campus in the Cumming City Hall.
Growth at the Cumming Campus has been driven by population growth in Forsyth County, which continues to be one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation.
State Sen. Steve Gooch of Dahlonega supported funding for both projects.
"I'm excited to help facilitate the growth of the Mike Cottrell College of Business and its programs that will support economic development and produce the business leaders of tomorrow," Gooch said. "And I’m equally excited to see the fast-growing Forsyth County area, especially high school students interested in dual-enrollment, benefit from the expansion of UNG’s Cumming Campus."
