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As for infrastructure improvements, New Mexico Tech is prioritizing upgrading its key system, an ongoing project that still needs more than $500,000 in funding.
The four projects Tech is seeking funding for are key system upgrades, a campus-wide facility condition index survey, data center infrastructure upgrades, and campus drive water and gas line replacement.
Like many other universities and colleges in the state, NMT is applying for Severance Tax Bond funding for capital expenditure projects.
On July 28, the Higher Education Capital Expenditure Committee was in person at the Tech campus to hear questions from schools in the central region. Some of these schools include NMT, University of New Mexico, and Central New Mexico Community College.
The committee moved to other areas of the region to hear proposals from all 29 colleges and universities and three special schools. The committee evaluates the projects and recommends how the money will be used.
The state legislature would ultimately have to approve the money.
According to Tech’s slideshow presentation, the master key system upgrade received nearly $1.3 million in funding from the 2019 general fundraiser and $300,000 in 2020 tax bonds.
The university is requesting an additional $552,000 for the project from the 2023 Severance Tax Bond. The entire project is expected to cost $2.1 million.
The project will add electronic locks and key card readers to the campus’ 579 doors. If fully funded, construction will begin in July 2023 and be completed in December 2024.
The school’s second priority is the index for facility condition. This includes a visual inspection of all buildings on campus, including plumbing and electrical systems and ADA access.
The total cost of the project will be $380,894. Tech is asking for $342,805 from the bond, with a $38,089 match from the school. The index should help the school prioritize overdue repairs, according to Tech’s approach, and could be completed by February 2024.
NMT is asking for about $1.8 million to upgrade its data center. The project will cost approximately $2 million, with $1.8 million coming from severance tax bonds and $196,841 contributed by NMT.
The data center was built in 2018, and according to Tech, the data center is in “excellent shape” but could double its capacity with major upgrades, making Tech more competitive for national grants and attracting computer research dollars.
The support can be used to install a second generator and third cooler, complete planned supports, improve smoke detection, prevent non-water fires, prevent intrusions, add highly protected power, and add network racks and servers.
Campus administrators want to replace the old water line on Campus Drive and are asking for $630,000 for the $700,000 project. NMT will contribute $70,000. The campus’ main water line is more than 30 years old and has repeatedly failed, Tech said.
The project includes replacing the water line and installing a separate gas line on Campus Drive. Construction is slated to begin next July and be completed by January 2024.
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