State board could buy land for Laurel Ridge college programs

The State Board for Community Colleges may buy the property from the Laurel Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. The property is about 4.8 acres next to the college campus and includes an existing building, its site, and nearby parking. The purchase price must be below the property's appraised fair market value. Payment must come only from college funds outside the state general fund, including auxiliary reserves and revenue from noncredit workforce programs. No general fund or capital outlay appropriation is required. The bill gives no date for the purchase.

After the purchase, the property would become a state facility under the State Board's control, and the college would renovate the existing building when funding is available. These provisions cover the property and existing building next to Laurel Ridge Community College. The building must remain available for student support services. When state or other funding becomes available, the college would renovate it for teaching and workforce training, including health care, information technology, and skilled trades. The property would be eligible for state community college building program and maintenance reserve support under applicable rules; eligibility does not guarantee funding. These provisions would apply after the property is acquired.