Commissioners backed the request that the county pay $3,000,000 towards the construction of a $17,000,000 classroom building at Colorado Mesa University.

Still, they say this is just the beginning of the process.

Tim Foster, president of C.M.U., says the college is aiming to up enrollment by 8% next year.

That’s good news for Grand Junction, as higher enrollment means a large increase in sales-tax revenue towards the county. 

Mesa County Commissioner Craig Meis says, "For a school like us that's on a fairly robust growth pattern, in particular we're running ourselves right out of classroom space. So to maintain the quality of what we do, we need to build another classroom building.”

One of the commissioners who supports the plan says the contribution would make a great addition to the influential school.

"They’re a big economic engine in our community; they bring a lot of folks from outside our area to our area. They educate not only our children here at Mesa County but certainly from around the country," said Meis.

"One of the good things too, they make it an affordable place to get an education."

CMU students are pleased with their campus overall, but agree with Foster, saying they need more room.

CMU student Shelby Johnson says, "I think maybe an additional dorm would be good just because I feel like were really packed, and the cafeteria gets pretty packed, so maybe another dining hall."

The requests aren’t final yet as commissioners are still working on their budget for next year.

However, if the request is passed, the new 56,000-square-foot educational building would open sometime in 2014.