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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer paid an unusual visit to Truman State University Monday.

On his agenda was touring Pershing Arena and Magruder Hall.  Pershing Arena recently received partial funding from the state for renovations.

Luetkemeyer said the project is considered "shovel ready" and that's what the economy needs.

President Darrell Krueger and Luetkemeyer discussed the educational benefits of the economic stimulus package.

“Within the stimulus package there is some Pell Grant money, which is a good thing.  It helps students be able to pay for their education and that's kind of a long term stimulus effect there.  I mean obviously that's not gonna provide a job in the next 120, 180 days, but the ability of someone to get an education is an economic development tool,” said U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer.

“If they go back to the rules, it will make it very difficult to get earmarks through the next two years because number one we don't have any more money, we just blew it all on this stimulus package.  Although, we're gonna have to print some more in order to be able to bail out the financial institutes and the automobile manufacturers,” said Luetkemeyer.