By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
Debbie Bell, Nancy Husselman and other representatives with the 7024U Outreach Center approached the City Council Tuesday to provide an update on the project and request permission to ask for capital outlay funding during the upcoming New Mexico state legislative session and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the council and 7024U.
7024U has secured $240,000 to date from generous donors in Artesia. Putting that into perspective, Bell said those funds would equate to roughly a year’s worth of funding. And resulting from numerous presentations delivered to several corporations within Artesia, Bell said they have also received three strong verbal commitments from three more potential donors. If the commitments follow through, Bell said 7024U will have enough to cover a two-year budget and can therefore open its doors. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
However, Bell said the potential donors are hesitant to contribute at this point because there is not a MOU between 7024U and the City of Artesia. Previously, the council stipulated in a resolution that was passed Aug. 14 that it would sign off on a MOU with 7024U once the funding was secured.
“We know that you would like us to secure two years’ worth of funding first,” Bell said. “But we already have a year’s worth of funding, and we’re confident that the other three potential funders, who have all strongly verbally committed to 7024U, will give us the funds needed. But they want to see a partnership between the city and 7024U first.”
