CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state School Building Authority has granted extensions to school construction projects taking place in 10 counties.
The approval came during the SBA’s quarterly meeting in Charleston.
SBA Executive Director Andy Neptune said the reasons for the extensions vary. He said some of them are linked to winter weather and supply chain issues.
“Both of those, especially the weather, was a huge factor. Now we’re coming out of it, the sun is shining and they’re ready to work but the materials are there it. We’re okay with it,” Neptune told MetroNews.
The extensions are going to a joint project for Calhoun-Gilmer counties and projects in Cabell, Barbour, Webster, Putnam, Berkeley, Pocahontas, Taylor, Grant and a project at the South Branch Community and Technical Center in Petersburg.
Neptune said there are currently 121 active SBA projects. He said it’s not unusual to have some delays.
Additional funding
Neptune is thanking Gov. Patrick Morrisey and state lawmakers for increasing the SBA’s base budget by $10 million in the new state budget. He said that’s the first time that’s happened in the history of the SBA.
“We’ve had supplemental funding that came in large numbers to us–those were one time deals, but to be able to increase that by $10 million we’re elated and so thankful and glad that history will show that this is the first time this occurred for us,” Neptune said.
The money will be used to build the amount the SBA has annually for ‘needs-based’ projects. Neptune said it will be build that number to $60 million annually or a little more.
“We’re be working with a little more money. Traditionally, it’s been around $51 million to $54 million and it’s been that way for a while,” Neptune said.
Needs grants are normally awarded every December and there are usually a lot more in requests from county school districts that can be funded by the SBA.
“We know there are some future projects coming down the line that will catch the attention of folks and we want to try and support that as much as we can,” Neptune said.
The SBA next meets on June 23 when decisions will be made on MIP (Major Improvement Projects).