JACKSON (WNE) — Despite a frugal budget session, Teton County legislators managed to secure $10 million for a long-talked-about project, a permanent Jackson home for Central Wyoming College.

Sen. Mike Gierau and Rep. Andy Schwartz worked with the Joint Appropriations Committee to draft this year’s capital construction budget under Senate File 67, which provides either $10.3 million from the state Strategic Investments and Projects account or $12.4 million from the American Rescue Plan Act — if the project qualifies — to build an outreach campus in Jackson. Gov. Mark Gordon signed the bill March 10.

“The CWC’s nursing program is among the programs that will utilize this space,” Gordon’s office said in an email to the Jackson Hole News&Guide. “The Governor is supportive of better opportunities for nursing students, as the state faces an ongoing shortage of these important workers.”

Gordon’s office said it will work with the community college to draft an ARPA proposal. Because of the school’s existing hospitality and health care focus in Jackson, school officials and legislators are confident the project will qualify.

As for where the new building will go, college President Brad Tyndall said a deal for land near Jackson Hole High School is nearly finalized. Central Wyoming College is looking to purchase 2 acres off High School Road from Leeks Canyon Ranch LLC, through which Elizabeth and Kelly Lockhart run the Lockhart Cattle Company ranch.

For the college to develop that parcel, the county will need to approve a rezoning to public/semipublic.