Tech Center plan snagged in House

The proposal, heavily favored and promoted by Dexter's Sen. Rob Mayer and State Rep. Billy Pat Wright, was one of several that blew through the House last week. The project was among numerous college construction initiatives that were quickly approved by the House, but were as quickly diverted in the House Rules Committee, with lawmakers arguing over the funds being spent in too rash a manner.

The proposals represent a total of more than $2 billion in federal stimulus dollars. A plan designed by Gov. Jay Nixon's administration would have seen the money going to a job-creation plan, but that proposal was rejected by House budget writers and the vote in the House to approve the spending to include several college construction projects sailed through.

The idea for a technology center in Dexter began over two years ago, according to Wright, who along with Mayer, visited a tech center in Mexico, Mo. following an invitation by Rep. Steve Hobbs from that area. The Mexico facility bore a set-up and purpose that the two thought would be beneficial for Southeast Missouri as well, should funding become available. The center is affiliated with Linn State Technology Center, as the proposed local center would be.

Linn Tech, located in Linn, Missouri near Jefferson City, is a public institution offering areas of study that include landscaping, horticulture, transportation, computer science and engineering, engineering technician training, nursing, construction trades, mechanics and repair.

"A center of this type would provide countless opportunities for individuals who elect not to pursue a four-year degree at a traditional college or university. It would offer alternative vocational training in any number of programs," Wright explained Friday.

It was Mayer's hope that the proposed technology center be built in Dexter and while he would like to see it affiliated with Linn Tech, he would also like to bring Southeast Missouri State University, Three Rivers Community College and even the University of Missouri into the broader picture.

A feasibility study by an independent agency that ensued following the tour of the Mexico facility found the proposal to be a sound one, Mayer stated, but also considered satellite facilities in Kennett, New Madrid, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston, to be implemented for the area's vocational training needs.

"The best way to bring economic development to Southeast Missouri," Mayer said in discussing the feasibility of constructing the tech center in Dexter, "is to create a highly trained and skilled workforce, and a center of this type would provide that opportunity."

Although Mayer calls the availability of funds at this time "very shaky," he still sees the proposal as one that should be pursued by lawmakers. A number of obstacles stand in the way of that funding becoming a reality, Mayer says, explaining that the proposal will now proceed to the Rules Committee within the House of Representatives, then to the House floor, then to a number of further committees before ever being considered by the Senate, at which time it would have to clear further committees and pass a floor debate.

"It's still on the back burner," Mayer explained, "and I'd like to see it pass before my term is over (in 2012). With the loss of Federal Mogul, Emerson Electric and Rowe Furniture, a facility like this would be ideal to take displaced workers to afford them a chance to retrain and learn a new skill."

"We will continue to pursue this possibility," Wright confirmed late Friday upon his return to Dexter from Jefferson City. "The facility would bring a wealth of opportunity for area residents and we will keep working toward this becoming a reality someday. We will not give up."