NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee State University is continuing to work on ways to move the university ahead.

A groundbreaking celebration was held Thursday morning for their new $90 million agriculture complex. The complex will house the university's Food and Animal Sciences and Environmental Sciences programs.

According to TSU, the complex will feature 35 faculty offices, 23 research labs, 17 teaching labs, four classrooms, a large multipurpose room, and collaborative workspace and support areas.

The new addition, which totals more than 110,000 square feet, will be located at the corner of Schrader Lane and Dr. Walter S. Davis Boulevard. Officials said it will take nearly two years to complete.

"We had some funds from the USDA, we were able to secure some funds from the American Rescue Plan and there were some of the leftover funds from agriculture state allocations," said Dean of the College of Agriculture, Dr. Chandra Reddy.

TSU has the largest agriculture research program of all 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

An estimated 500 students will utilize the variety of amenities in the new complex. State leaders said the addition is inspiring for Tennessee.

"What a difference it's going to make, not only in this state, but in the region, and for the students who have come after us," said Matthew Wade with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

TSU Interim President Dwayne Tucker stated he believes the complex shows continued confidence in the university and strength of their land-grant mission.

To learn more about the university’s agriculture program, click here.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/tsu-celebrates-groundbreaking-of-90-million-agriculture-complex/