CSU – Pueblo receives $309,000 from T-REX Project

Pueblo –Colorado State University - Pueblo will begin offering scholarships and support service programs for small and disadvantaged business enterprises serving the highway and transit construction industry thanks to a grant of more than $300,000 from the T-REX Project and the Southeast Corridor Constructors (SECC). University officials accepted a check at the 2006 T-REX Incentive Funding Program event on Nov. 30 in Denver.

According to grant coordinator, Dean of Continuing Education James Malm, CSU-Pueblo is one of 10 funding recipients, and one of only two legacy projects, that will share approximately $1 million in grant funding. The $100,000 scholarship portion of the $309,000 award puts CSU-Pueblo in T-REX’s legacy category.

“The Colorado State University – Pueblo Foundation is grateful for this perpetual commitment to scholarships for deserving students,” said Scott Shrode, Executive Director of University Development. “We look forward to working with the University to meet the purposes of the grant long after the T-REX project is completed.”

Beginning in Fall of 2006, CSU-Pueblo will provide an annual scholarship of $5,000 to SBE/DBE firms statewide to assist in continuing education coursework or business assistance in the expertise areas of the institution. This scholarship will be perpetual, thanks to an endowment provided by the T-REX Project team. CSU-Pueblo also will conduct free educational events throughout the state on contract compliance, financial management, bid submission and preparation for growth. Companion DVD disks on these topics will be created and distributed throughout the state’s small business development centers.

Funding for this annual scholarship comes from incentive dollars paid to SECC by the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation District for successfully implementing a small and disadvantages business program as part of the T-REX Project. Since 2002, $2.5 million has been awarded to support programs that provide training and assistance to the small and minority business community.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.