Why an HBCU pulled back $15 million request for funding

After getting what was reportedly the biggest donation to an HBCU, Florida A&M University officials recinded a request for millions of dollars in funding for stadium repairs.

The Tallahassee Democrat has obtained a letter that reveals FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson spurning between $10 to $15 million in funding for Bragg Memorial Stadium on May 6. That was two days after the university announced a $237 million donation from Gregory Gerami , CEO of Batterson Farms Corp .  It was an unprecedented number for an HBCU — more than doubling the $100 million gift bestowed on Spelman College last month.

The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency is made up of 12 city and county commissioners. It approved $10 million of major renovations to FAMU’s football stadium in 2020. FAMU requested an additional $15 million earlier this year. That initial request was denied in February but the possibility of using economic development money instead of infrastructure dollars for the project was still on the table.

Then came the deal with Gerami. According to the initial announcement given at Florida A&M commencement on May 6, roughly $100 million was earmarked to go to athletics — including infrastructure repairs . With that funding coming down the turnpike, a letter was drafted letting The Blueprint Agency know its money was no longer needed.

“However, at this time we are withdrawing our request for additional assistance from the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency for Bragg Memorial Stadium,” Robinson wrote in the letter obtained by the Democrat. “We look forward to continuing to work with you, the Blueprint Board of Directors and Blueprint staff in other ways going forward.”

Since that letter was drafted, however, Gerami’s gift underwent intense scrutiny nationally and locally, including an emergency Florida A&M Foundation meeting on Thursday. At that meeting, Robinson revealed that the gift is on hold as the university is waiting to determine the value of the stocks donated by the Texas hemp farm owner.

“With regards to the gift and the processing of it … We’ve already decided that it is in our best interest to put that on pause,” Robinson said.

Now Florida’s lone public HBCU will have to figure out how to get the funding for its stadium facilities.

Correction: The initial article incorrectly stated FAMU is Florida’s lone HBCU. It is its lone public HBCU.

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