University of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek was joined March 11 by NU leaders in issuing statements on the bipartisan federal spending bill approved by the House and Senate and signed by the President.
The budget package includes $25 million for construction of a USDA Agricultural Research Service facility located at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Innovation Campus, part of a broad vision at the university to advance agricultural research and development for the future.
The federal funding was championed by Sen. Deb Fischer in the Senate and Rep. Mike Flood in the House. All members of Nebraska’s federal delegation have supported the facility being located in Nebraska.
“This is a remarkable investment that will further Nebraska’s status as a world leader in agriculture,” Kabourek said. “Sen. Fischer has been a true champion and partner in this effort from the start, and all of us at the University of Nebraska are grateful for her leadership. Nor would this be possible without the leadership and advocacy of Congressman Flood. We’re eager to continue working closely with our federal delegation to make the USDA ARS facility a reality and are excited to break ground this spring.
“Agriculture has always been, and will always be, foundational to the University of Nebraska’s work. I could not be more pleased that all of Team Nebraska — from our Board of Regents, to our federal partners, the Governor and Legislature, donors, farmers and ranchers across the state, and our incredible faculty, staff and students — is working together to keep us on the forefront in meeting the needs of our state and feeding the world for generations to come.”
