LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Dr. Karin Hilgersom, president of SUNY Sullivan, will host a town hall meeting regarding SUNY Sullivan’s plan to construct a new building to house its Healthy World Institute (HWI). Her presentation begins at 6 p.m. on June 30 at the Parks & Recreaction building, 119 North Main St. to be followed by a question-and-answer period.

The mission of the Healthy World Institute is to improve people’s health, the health of our food and watershed, the health of the land, and the health of the local and regional economy.

The building will house the current health sciences programs (nursing, respiratory therapy, medical assisting) as well as several new programs including ultrasound technology, and nourishment arts and sciences. Other plans for the facility include a restaurant to be run in collaboration with second-year culinary arts students, a community learning kitchen, applied entrepreneurship studies, research labs, community classrooms and a large lobby area with student-friendly seating.

The HWI concept has the formal approval of the SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees and the backing of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, which has made it one of its priority agenda items. It has secured 50% of the necessary funding ($10.5 million) through a SUNY matching capital projects grant.