Montana Tech Hosting Groundbreaking Ceremony for NRRC

Montana Tech will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the newest building on campus, the Natural Resources Research Center (NRRC) on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot north of the Mining & Geology Building.

The 63rd Legislature—working with our local legislators—appropriated $5 million and authorized an additional $5 million in spending authority for the building. ConocoPhillips, Halliburton, and Anadarko teamed up to make the $5 million donation to Montana Tech.

The NRRC will provide much-needed laboratory space for natural resources and energy undergraduate and graduate education and research on campus. The three-story, approximately 32,000 square foot addition to the Engineering Laboratory Classroom (ELC) Building will create state-of-the-art laboratories, workspaces and support spaces. The addition includes a petroleum research lab, nano research lab, energy lab, strengths & materials testing lab, composites & wood testing lab, occupational safety and health lab, campus-wide student project studio area, dedicated equipment and machinery rooms, student support areas, office space, general support space, and unfinished space for future growth. Renovations of the existing ELC (60,779 square feet) include Americans with Disability Act accessibility upgrades, HVAC improvements, safety system upgrades, and modifications in support of a building addition.

The building, which will open in fall 2016, will complement the existing ELC Building and reinforce the urban character of the Montana Tech campus.More information is available at foundation.mtech.edu/nrrc.