Office business technology student Angelica Fraire, left, and computer operations student Jonathan Nuno walk past Sequoya Hall on the campus of Dalton State College. A new science building was planned for construction adjacent to the hall, but area lawmakers are trying to raise nearly $15 million for the project after funding from the Georgia General Assembly was vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal.Dalton State officials and area lawmakers remain hopeful they will be able to find funding this year for an academic building that has been in the works since 2005.
“I hope to get funding for Dalton State College — my last hurrah,” said state Rep. Roger Williams, R-Dalton, who said this week he will retire from the Georgia General Assembly after this legislative session.
“I’ve been working on this for five years; I’ve begged and pleaded for it to happen. I’m hopeful this year it will be approved,” Williams said.
Back in May, Dalton State received good news when the General Assembly approved more than $8 million to pay for half of the new academic building, with funding from bonds.
But Gov. Nathan Deal cut that project and 10 others worth about $40 million for the University System of Georgia from the budget.