An increased focus on life sciences could rake in more funding for Missouri colleges and universities.

But, according to local legislators, Missouri Southern is not on the list to receive any of that money.

“We are not getting a penny of the life science money in the Joplin area,” said Steve Hunter (R-Joplin).

He said if more funding was given to Southern, it would mean new buildings and more jobs.

College President Julio León said movement toward life sciences began at the federal level and now Gov. Bob Holden is shifting importance to that area.

“I believe the Governor has made commitments to both Columbia and UMKC for either projects or facilities related to life sciences,” León said.

He said since the University of Missouri is the major research university in the state, it has the capabilities to expand in the life science area.

“What we are hopeful of is that we can receive funding for our own new building called the Health Sciences Building,” León said.

The governor, the Coordinating Board of Higher Education and the legislators have already approved $10 million to fund the new building, León said. The project was cut short after funds that were allocated to go to higher education were used to “plug the holes” in the budget.

“Our building went by the wayside,” León said. “But, it’s still in the list of priorities.”

Promoting progress of life sciences, Holden said in his State of the State Address Jan. 15, is key to boosting the Missouri economy.

“Missouri is now poised to move forward in the ‘knowledge- based’ economy by focusing on innovation and the critical areas of the life sciences,” Holden said.

Jane Cunningham (R-Chesterfield), chair of the House education committee, said she believes Missouri already has the groundwork it needs to excel in the area of life sciences.

“The basis is already in Missouri,” she said. “So, we look at this as a huge opportunity that we need to consider right now. If we don’t, other states will take it.”

Bryan Stevenson (R-Joplin) agreed that life science is a worthy long-term goal.

“I want to make sure the life science push is not simply a ploy to redivert funding to certain institutions and stop fair distribution that we need to bring about,” he said.

Southern is not the only institution left out of the plan, Stevenson said. Southwest Missouri State University and other colleges in the Southwest region are being over looked as well.

“It (funding) is all going along the I-70 corridor,” he said. “We are going to take a serious look at addressing those issues.”

Kathlyn Fares, (R-Webster Groves) chair of the House appropriation-education committee said there is some funding that is “earmarked” to go toward life sciences.

“We need to not do that as an expense to other educational institutions,” Fares said. “We have to come up with the dollars and the window is very small.”

Dr. Scott Wells, head of the biology department, said although he would like to see some of the funds, he understands why his department won’t receive any.

“I understand there are limited amounts and unlimited wants,” Wells said. “There are some tough decisions that have to be made.”

Funding aside, Cunningham thinks this is a “phenomenal” area of study.

“The colleges are actually the ones to benefit by this,” she said. “The governor, the speaker of the house and the president pro tem of the senate are all in agreement that our higher education institutions are very critical toward this whole puzzle.

“I think it’s going to be big.”

Fares said right now the issue is just about talking.

“There’s room for further negotiation,” she said.

“But, the money tree is not going to have many leaves.”