FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 6, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES $58 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE

Funds for 48 Projects to Leverage Millions in Local Investment;
Expected to Create More Than 7,000 New Jobs

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the Board of the New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) has awarded more than $58 million in grants to independent colleges and universities across the State. The funds will support 48 different projects, leverage an additional $484 million in local investment and are expected to create more than 4,800 construction jobs and 2,200 related industry jobs.

“I am pleased to announce the award of these matching capital grants to New York’s colleges and universities. The HECap program provides another avenue for State investment in the higher education sector and a powerful economic and academic stimulus for students and families throughout New York,” said Governor Paterson. “From a Science Center at Canisius College in Western New York to an Engineering Technology Center at the Rochester Institute of Technology to a Virtual Air Traffic Control Laboratory at Dowling College on Long Island, the HECap program will help further solidify New York State as a leader in the global knowledge economy.”

HECap provides a $1 match for every $3 raised for capital investment at New York’s independent (private not-for-profit) institutions of higher education. Funds are distributed according to a formula that considers such factors as overall student enrollment, student body financial need and size of existing and planned campus facilities. Today’s announcement represents the second round of awards in the $150 million program created in the 2005-2006 Enacted Budget. A list of approved projects is available at: http://ny.gov/governor/press/pdf/press_080609_HECap_Grants.pdf.

The HECap board consists of three representatives appointed by the Governor, the Senate President and the Assembly Speaker. The program compliments the $9.3 billion, 5-year capital plan currently underway at SUNY and CUNY. Information on the HECap program is available at http://www.dasny.org/dasny/hecap/index.php.

The following quotes were provided in support of the HECap grants:

Senate President Malcolm A. Smith said: “The Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program money will ensure that colleges and universities across New York maintain the highest standards and modern facilities that our students deserve. From Long Island to Buffalo, communities and families will benefit from the local investments and job creation these grants will facilitate.”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: “These matching grants demonstrate an important model of cooperation between private colleges and the State of New York. The HECap program builds on the strengths of independent institutions and encourages them to invest in capital projects that will not only increase the quality of their educational facilities and curriculum, but also benefit the State’s economy.”

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said: “Providing New York’s colleges and universities with the capital funding to remain competitive in the 21st century enables our State to continue to be a leader in higher education opportunities. In many cases, these colleges are essential to the economic vibrancy of their communities and as a result, the entire State benefits.”

Assemblywoman Deborah J. Glick, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, said: “Higher Education is our best investment for New York’s people and our future. We can be certain these institutions will remain in New York and making them stronger helps all of us.”