Augusta University
Stacey EidsonWhen Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp signed the state’s amended fiscal year 2025 budget, which included $99.8 million to help fund the construction of a new translational research building at Augusta University, there was much to celebrate across the entire state.
A new 150,000-square-foot research building will provide modern laboratory spaces, advanced equipment and updated technology infrastructure, ensuring scientists have the necessary tools to support the continued growth of the groundbreaking research at AU and the Medical College of Georgia, said Augusta University President Russell T. Keen.
“For almost 200 years, discoveries made at the Medical College of Georgia have been changing the lives of people throughout the state,” Keen said. “This funding demonstrates our state leaders’ dedication to the future of Georgia and their commitment to Augusta University.”
“For almost 200 years, discoveries made at the Medical College of Georgia have been changing the lives of people throughout the state. This funding demonstrates our state leaders’ dedication to the future of Georgia and their commitment to Augusta University.”
Augusta University President Russell T. Keen
“I want to extend our gratitude to Gov. Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, our local legislative delegation, the Georgia General Assembly and the University System of Georgia for their continued commitment to the mission of Augusta University,” Keen added. “This building is a critical step toward guaranteeing we can continue to bring the very best to Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia.”
In addition, the research building will help continue propelling AU toward its aspirational imperative of becoming an R1 research university and earning a top 60 NIH ranking by 2030, Keen said.
Augusta University has also committed to raising $30 million in philanthropic support, including donations from the MCG Foundation, the AU Foundation, the City of Augusta and generous community members to help fund the $146.2 million project.
Earlier this year, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue complimented the Augusta community on its philanthropic support of the new research building.
“I want to tell you, you ought to be proud of the citizens and the companies in Augusta for having stepped up and done their part on this project,” Perdue said. “This kind of building also helps us collaborate with other institutions across the state. And I’m hoping it will be critical to building a health ecosystem right here in Georgia, beginning with MCG.”
“This research building at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University will be key to attracting the highest caliber physicians and physician scientists to provide breakthrough treatments.”
State Rep. Mark Newton, R-Augusta
Members of the local legislative delegation, who worked with Keen and leaders from across the state to secure the $99.8 million in funding, said the new research building will be a game-changer for the entire state of Georgia.
“This research building at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University will be key to attracting the highest caliber physicians and physician scientists to provide breakthrough treatments,” said State Rep. Mark Newton, R-Augusta, who is a 1988 MCG alumnus and chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. “This investment will improve the research ecosystem and bring benefits not just to the greater Augusta area, but also to the state and beyond.”
“The local legislative delegation has worked diligently over the past three years to secure this transformative appropriation. This new facility will support AU’s cutting-edge research to promote a healthier Georgia.”
State Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania
State Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania, said he was pleased to support the funding for the new research building at Augusta University.
“The local legislative delegation has worked diligently over the past three years to secure this transformative appropriation,” said Burns, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. “This new facility will support AU’s cutting-edge research to promote a healthier Georgia. Congratulations to AU!”
Senate Minority Leader Harold V. Jones II, D-Augusta, who serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, said the funding for a new translational research building will continue the growth of state-of-the-art research at Augusta University.
“Research is the pinnacle of working to provide better health outcomes for Georgians, and this new translational research building provides that pathway forward.”
Senate Minority Leader Harold V. Jones II, D-Augusta
“With this project, we will build a better future for students and future researchers across the state of Georgia,” Jones said. “Research is the pinnacle of working to provide better health outcomes for Georgians, and this new translational research building provides that pathway forward.”
State Rep. Brian Prince, D-Augusta, said ensuring Augusta University received the $99.8 million from the state for the research building was a “team effort.”
“Legislators from across the state recognize what Augusta University is doing and the fact that its research not only impacts the state, but the entire nation,” Prince said. “Augusta University and the Medical College of Georgia are trying to find cures for things that haven’t been cured. They are working on everything from cancer to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to so much more. This new facility is going to attract some of the top researchers in the nation and across the world.”
Prince thanked Keen and members of Augusta University’s Government Relations team, including Vice President of Government Relations Margie Miller, Director of State Government Relations Ashton Blackwood Paine and Assistant Director of State Government Relations Luke Ray, for providing legislators with detailed information about the research building and its potential impact on the future health of all Georgians.
“They did an excellent job of setting up the foundation for us as legislators to know who to talk to and how much money we were asking for regarding this large project,” Prince said. “In my 12 years in the Georgia General Assembly, this $99.8 million has been the largest ask that we’ve done, and to see it come to fruition takes a lot of work.”
“Legislators from across the state recognize what Augusta University is doing and the fact that its research not only impacts the state, but the entire nation.”
State Rep. Brian Prince, D-Augusta
“Members of the AU Foundation, MCG Foundation, alumni and folks all across the state of Georgia who know the importance of Augusta University and what this research center is going to do all chipped in to build our case,” he added. “It truly was a team effort all the way around.”
State Sen. Lee Anderson, R-Grovetown, said the new research building will continue to strengthen MCG’s mission across the state.
“For nearly two centuries, the Medical College of Georgia has been a cornerstone of Augusta and a leader in medical education and research,” Anderson said. “The $99.8 million investment in a new translational research building at Augusta University is a major step forward, not just for our city, but for the entire medical community.”
“MCG researchers have played a critical role in advancing medical treatments that benefit patients nationwide,” Anderson added. “Expanding their research capabilities ensures they have the cutting-edge resources to drive innovation and improve health care outcomes. This new facility will strengthen MCG’s mission, attract top talent to our state, and further position Georgia as a medical research and discovery leader.”
“For nearly two centuries, the Medical College of Georgia has been a cornerstone of Augusta and a leader in medical education and research. The $99.8 million investment in a new translational research building at Augusta University is a major step forward, not just for our city, but for the entire medical community.”
State Sen. Lee Anderson, R-Grovetown
State Rep. Karlton Howard, D-Augusta, said Augusta University is blessed to receive the necessary funding from the state.
“The significance of the $99.8 million investment in Georgia’s recent budget for Augusta University’s new translational research building cannot be overstated,” he said. “This funding is essential for advancing medical research and innovation, ultimately benefiting not only the state of Georgia but also the global medical community by improving health care outcomes and driving economic growth.”
“The significance of the $99.8 million investment in Georgia’s recent budget for Augusta University’s new translational research building cannot be overstated.”
State Rep. Karlton Howard, D-Augusta
State Rep. Rob Clifton, R-Evans, said he was honored to be a part of the team to help bring this funding to Augusta University.
“The new medical research building is a transformative addition to our community, serving as a hub for innovation, collaboration and advancement in health care,” he said. “By providing state-of-the-art facilities for cutting-edge research, it will attract top-tier medical professionals, drive groundbreaking discoveries and enhance patient care. This investment not only strengthens our local economy but also positions our community as a leader in medical innovation.”
“This investment not only strengthens our local economy but also positions our community as a leader in medical innovation.”
State Rep. Rob Clifton, R-Evans
State Rep. L.C. Myles, D- Hephzibah, said he was “elated” that Augusta University received the $99.8 million in state funding for the construction of the new research building.
“This significant investment underscores our collective commitment to advancing medical research and enhancing health care outcomes for Georgians and beyond,” Myles said. “This new facility will provide state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge technology, propelling Augusta University toward its goal of achieving R1 research status. Such a designation reflects our institution’s dedication to high-impact research and doctoral education, placing us among the nation’s elite research universities. The ripple effects of this development will be felt statewide.”
“This new facility will provide state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge technology, propelling Augusta University toward its goal of achieving R1 research status. Such a designation reflects our institution’s dedication to high-impact research and doctoral education, placing us among the nation’s elite research universities.”
State Rep. L.C. Myles, D-Hephzibah
Myles wanted to personally thank the governor and members of the Georgia General Assembly for supporting the research building.
“Your dedication ensures that Georgia remains at the forefront of medical research and education,” Myles said. “As we break ground on this transformative project, we reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier Georgia. This research building symbolizes our shared vision for a future where innovation and collaboration lead to improved health outcomes for all.”
State Rep. Rob Leverett, R-Elberton, said he was excited to see the future growth of Augusta University with the addition of this new research building.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Augusta University to play a pivotal role in the new federal NIH research funding paradigm,” Leverett said. “With AU’s state-of-the-art research facility, its talented researchers and faculty, and the strategic design and management of its programs, AU is well-positioned to contribute and serve the entire state in this new era. I am so proud of the AU community and the way they continue to set the standard for excellence in medical and health sciences education.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Augusta University to play a pivotal role in the new federal NIH research funding paradigm.”
State Rep. Rob Leverett, R-Elberton
State Rep. Gary Richardson, R-Evans, said the funding for the research building at Augusta University will have an impact felt nationwide.
“I am so thankful to the governor, the Senate, the House and the local community for coming together to make this possible,” Richardson said. “This is about more than our community and the state of Georgia as the discoveries in this facility will have impacts nationwide. I’m so grateful that this research building is becoming a reality.”
“I am so thankful to the governor, the Senate, the House and the local community for coming together to make this possible.”
State Rep. Gary Richardson, R-Evans
Miguelangelo Hernandez
Hannah Litteer
Emily Bonham-Janes