EUNICE, La (KLFY) -- Louisiana State University Eunice (LSUE) plans to turn its science building into a science, technology, engineering, agriculture and math (STEAM) innovation center.

On Tuesday, LSUE showed faculty and staff the final rendering of upgrades expected for the 57-year-old science building.

LSUE Chancellor Nancee Sorenson said the upgrades will provide state of the art teaching and learning facilities for the university's faculty and students. The upgrades also mean the facility can function as an innovation center for local employers and business people.

"We want to ensure that our rural areas not just survive but thrive," Sorenson said.

Phase one of the project will focus on expansion by adding new science labs, lecture halls and classrooms. Work in phase two will include renovation of labs and faculty offices.

Sorenson said the agricultural and technological additions will allow the college to partner with rural industries in the area.

"It will first benefit our faculty and students by have something that they truly deserve, but we believe that it will benefit the community," Sorenson said.

"In terms of economic development, we want to turn our attention to our local areas that are in technology, the sciences, engineering and certainly agriculture and help them develop what they see as the future of their own economy in these businesses," Sorenson continued.

LSUE received $3.25 million from the Federal Rural Development Fund and hopes to receive an additional $1.75 million from that same fund. Sorenson said the goal is to receive $28 million more in this year's legislative session.

"Just as we broke ground on a new athletic facility this summer, we hope to be breaking ground on this innovation center a year from now," Sorenson said.

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