November 8, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Donna Oracion, College Development Director, 575-624-7403
VOTERS SUPPORT BONDS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES
Voters across New Mexico showed their support for higher education and libraries with the passage of General Obligation Bonds B and D in the November 6 election. Unofficial results show 68 percent of voters statewide were in favor of Bond B and 65 percent of New Mexico voters approved Bond D. In Chaves County, Bond B passed by 62 percent and Bond D passed by 61percent.
Bond D proposed a total of $128 million for New Mexico’s public colleges and universities, of which $3 million will be allocated to ENMU-Roswell. These funds will be used to make needed renovations and improvements to the Automotive and Welding Technology facility on campus. Eastern New Mexico University in Portales will receive $8 million to start the renovation of the Roosevelt Science Center. The ENMU-Ruidoso campus will receive $500,000 to be used toward the renovation of the newly acquired annex retail building to create additional instructional space. In total, the ENMU system will receive $11,500,000 with the passage of Bond D.
Through Bond B, the ENMU-Roswell library will receive $34,959 to enhance the library’s collection of materials, equipment, and online databases. In total, school libraries in Chaves County will receive more than $306,000 with the approval of Bond B.
“We appreciate and thank the voters statewide and especially the voters in Chaves County for their support of these bond funds,” said Dr. Shawn Powell, President, ENMU-Roswell. “We can now move forward with renovation plans which will greatly enhance our automotive and welding technology programs. The remodeled environment will benefit student training and we expect to double our enrollment in these programs. This will mean an increase in the number of skilled graduates who can enter the workforce and bolster our local economy.”
Campus officials say the bonds will be sold next spring and the projects will begin after July 1 when funds are received.
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