Western Michigan University Breaks Ground on New Home for State's Largest Geological Sample Repository

*Western Michigan University breaks ground on $8 million facility to house 600,000 linear feet of rock and mineral core at Parkview Campus*

Leaders at Western Michigan University and the Michigan Geological Survey broke ground Friday on a new 20,000-square-foot facility that will become the permanent home of the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education.

The Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) is currently located off campus on Michigan Avenue northeast of the US-131 and Stadium Drive interchange. The facility will move to WMU's Parkview Campus next to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The groundbreaking ceremony featured WMU researchers alongside state officials from the Michigan Geological Survey.

$6 million in state funding, completion expected by year end

The $8 million project receives $6 million in state funding. State Sen. Sean McCann secured $3 million through the Higher Education and University budget. Former state Rep. Rachel Hood secured $3 million through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy budget.

"The facility is important because it preserves geologic materials collected over the past century from a wide range of projects and investigations," MGS Director Sara Pearson said. "These materials can now be used to answer new questions about the subsurface and its resources without the added cost of redrilling, unlocking existing information in ways that advance research, resource management and economic development."

The repository currently houses approximately 600,000 linear feet of rock and mineral core from oil and gas exploration projects and MDOT geotechnical work for road and bridge construction.

New features include high-tech mobile racking, viewing room, and lab space

The new facility will have ample storage space with a high-tech mobile racking system to expand storage capacity. It will include a viewing room and dedicated lab space. The current location lacks these specialized features.

"The facility is important because it preserves geologic materials collected over the past century from a wide range of projects and investigations," MGS Director Sara Pearson said. "These materials can now be used to answer new questions about the subsurface and its resources without the added cost of redrilling, unlocking existing information in ways that advance research, resource management and economic development."

Dr. Autumn Haagsma, MGRRE Director, said the new facility will make the repository more accessible to students and potential collaborators within WMU's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Business Technology and Research Park.

"MGRRE provides hands-on learning opportunities where students engage directly with Michigan's rocks, samples and geologic data," Haagsma said. "By working with real datasets and real geologic challenges, students gain the skills and confidence they need to excel in a wide range of geoscience careers—giving them a meaningful advantage as they enter the workforce."

Student research projects include carbon capture and critical minerals

Students are currently working with Haagsma on a carbon capture project focused on determining whether rock and mineral layers can seal carbon dioxide underground.

Other projects involve locating critical minerals. Doctoral candidate Ashley Scott said research on critical minerals is important now more than ever.

"People don't realize how important geology is," Ashley Scott said. "So many of the things we use in our everyday lives is mined. Your camera and phone have critical minerals in them. The car you drive uses petroleum gasoline. A geologist helped find the water that you use to make your coffee. All of the soil that our food is planted in, it all has some background in geology."

The current facility houses 600,000 linear feet of rock and mineral core. Moving the repository to WMU's Parkview Campus will make it more accessible to students and potential collaborators, according to a WMU release.

WMU President Russ Kavalhuna and Dean Carla Koretsky recognized efforts of state legislators

WMU President Russ Kavalhuna and Dean Carla Koretsky recognized the efforts of Sen. Sean McCann in securing funding for the facility to move forward.

"Western is thrilled to break ground on the new home for the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education, a state-of-the-art facility that will strengthen Michigan's understanding and management of its natural resources, groundwater and geological risks," Kavalhuna said. "Thanks to the support and advocacy of multiple state agencies, this project places WMU at the forefront of delivering the science and research that can move Michigan forward."

The project is supported by $6 million in state funding: $3 million secured by state Sen. Sean McCann through the Higher Education and University budget and $3 million secured by former state Rep. Rachel Hood through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy budget.

Facility expected to open by end of 2026

Construction is underway at WMU's Parkview Campus. The campus will be the new home of the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education by the end of the year.

"This milestone would not be possible without decades of hard work by William and Linda Harrison, our former MGS Director John Yellich, and our dedicated industry partners," Haagsma said. "MGRRE's value as a statewide and national resource is built on the generous contributions of materials from industry, state agencies and private donors."