SPI Insights

Idaho’s higher education system gets $73M infusion

Idaho colleges and universities will receive almost $73 million for building projects, as approved during the 2023 legislative session. Boise State University is approved to receive $17.9 million.

The money fund a 100,000-square-foot science research building to create additional classroom, lab and office space for biology, biochemistry, chemistry and physics programs. Boise State will look to donors and grants for additional funding for the building, estimated to cost $120 million.

The College of Eastern Idaho plans to complete Future Tech, an 88,000-square-foot facility designed to serve approximately 1,000 students. The center will house programs such as cybersecurity, health physics and AgriTech and include interactive classrooms and a conference center. Funds granted total $8 million. The total cost of the facility is $42.8 million.

The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is getting half of the $30 million needed to complete a student learning hub and phase two of an agriculture and horticulture expansion. Funding was approved for $15.7 million. CWI will fundraise and look at financing options to cover the balance. The College of Southern Idaho (CSI) will receive $11.5 million. Funding of $9 million will help with renovations of the Evergreen Building, including expanded facilities for the agricultural department, physical science labs and other classes. An additional $2.5 million will fund improvements to the CSI data center.

The University of Idaho’s (U of I) $8.9 million will provide partial funding for three campus facilities:

• New 8,900-square-foot dining lodge and kitchen facility at McCall Field Campus that will have space for 150 students and staff. The university needs to raise $6 million to finish the project.
• Center for Plant and Soil Health, at the Parma Research Center. The new facility is expected to open later this year.
• Meat Science and Innovation Center to combine educational, research, event, and retail space. The U of I plans to raise $6.6 million for the project, which is currently in the design phase.

Idaho State University will receive $8.3 million for three projects:

• Expansion of Idaho State’s Pocatello-based physician assistant program.
• Expansion of Idaho State’s health sciences center on a 22-acre site in Meridian.
• Nuclear research labs to support a joint Idaho State-U of I program.

Lewis-Clark State College has been approved for $2.3 million. Lewis-Clark will put the state money toward two projects, including a new 6,400-square-foot space in Clearwater Hall and converting a dorm into a living and living center for nursing students.