FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is receiving an additional $1.5 million toward construction of a new Nanotechnology Research Center, thanks to a decision by Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe. Last month the governor released the money from the state’s General Improvement Fund.

“Governor Beebe has long been one of the strongest supporters of our nanotechnology research, and this is very concrete evidence of that support,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “The governor has the vision to see this as an investment in our state’s economy, an investment that will pay dividends in the form of new jobs and new businesses. His support is crucial to our success, and we are very grateful to him.”

The University of Arkansas is currently doing preliminary work along Dickson Street to build a utility tunnel to the future site of the building at 747 W. Dickson St. Contractors will begin setting up at the site on July 20, with construction work starting soon after that.