Committee approves funding for new UMMC facility

JACKSON — Lawmakers are moving toward borrowing money to allow the University of Mississippi to construct a new medical school building.

The House Appropriations Committee voted unanimously for House Bill 610, which would issue $31 million in bonds for a new five-story building on the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus in Jackson.

Officials said the project’s price tag has risen to $76 million from the $63 million previously estimated. Lawmakers and Gov. Phil Bryant’s administration have already provided $14 million for the project.

Committee chairman Jeff Smith, a Columbus Republican, says House lawmakers intend to provide another $31 million next year.

Dr. Louann Woodward, UMMC’s associate vice chancellor, says the money is enough to begin constructing the building. She says site work is likely to begin in late spring.