The Georgia state budget for the 2020 fiscal year, signed this week by Gov. Brian P. Kemp, includes funding for three major Georgia Southern projects supporting student success and workforce development.

"Each of these projects are critical to Georgia Southern University's progress," said President Kyle Marrero. "We are delighted the governor and especially our local legislative delegation support and recognize the important role these initiatives play in helping our students succeed, and in helping our region thrive."

The budget includes:

$5.2 million for equipment for the Engineering and Research Building, a new, 135,000-square-foot building designed to inspire engineering innovation through education and strategic partnerships. The new research facility will house the university’s manufacturing, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering programs and will support the manufacturing infrastructure in Georgia. The facility is a real-world laboratory where students will learn problem-solving, creative thinking and high-value skills with top-notch faculty mentors who have years of experience in research and practice. In December, former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal helped to break ground on the building.

$5 million for renovation of the Pirate Athletic Center on the Armstrong Campus to bolster efforts in supporting student success. Renovating the 32,465-square-foot center will provide students with all academic support functions in one accessible location. Research has shown academic advising is a critical component in the successful progression and graduation of students and the University is making a significant investment into additional academic advising staff to aide in retention and boost graduation rates.

$3.8 million for a renovation project that will expand on the existing partnership between East Georgia State College (EGSC) and Georgia Southern to deliver academic programs in Statesboro and provide a valuable pipeline for EGSC students to progress to Georgia Southern’s four-year programs. The renovation of the Nessmith-Lane Center on the Georgia Southern Statesboro Campus will provide comparable space for academic classes and more adequate space for tutoring and academic advising for EGSC students. Through the location on the Statesboro Campus where EGSC will continue to deliver its academic programs, students are able to easily access academic support functions and eliminates travel between two campuses. The project will also include minor renovations to the East Georgia site in Statesboro to accommodate Continuing Education for Georgia Southern University.