Lieutenant Governor Visits UMD, Discusses “Jobs Bill”

A proposed $1.4 billion “jobs bill” from Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith would seek funds for several infrastructure projects across the state.

Among those projects would be a $27.2 million investment for a new Chemisty and Advanced Materials Science Building at University of Minnesota Duluth.

The current chemistry facility at UMD is, according to professors and staff members, terribly out of date.

Faculty members with the Swenson College of Science and Engineering say there is equipment still in use that is decades old, and their current facility struggles to keep up with student needs and student demands.

At a round-table discussion involving Lt. Governor Smith, university officials offered reasons that the investment is needed.

“As a public research university, we’re very dedicated to solving both the workforce needs and the innovation needs of the region, and this chemistry building will really play a central role in that,” said Josh Hamilton, Dean of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering.

Dean Hamilton says the chemistry department sees around 5,500 students a year.

He cites that graduates from his department are regularly hired into the workforce right out of school, and many employers are recruiting students during their junior and senior years.

“Both in building the workforce – whether they’re chemists or engineers or if they go on to medical school or allied health professions, chemistry is very central to that,” Hamilton said.

The Lieutenant Governor agrees.

“First of all the students can’t wait. Second of all the businesses in Duluth and the region can’t wait for the workforce that’s being created by this great institution,” Lt. Gov. Smith said.

“There is incredible research happening at UMD that is fueling companies all across the region and across the state. And we need to keep that up. This is exactly the kind of investment we should be making.”

The proposed building would add 52,000 square feet of educational and research space to the existing facility.