Greg Logan, president of the St. Joseph Building and Construction Trades, said unions supported the practice facility from the start as a needed stimulus for local, skilled workers hurting in the economic downturn.

"We went to City Council meetings. We went to the county. We talked to all the politicians. And then all of a sudden, it's kind of like, 'We got what we wanted, now go away,'" Mr. Logan said. He said union leaders are reaching out to local officials, but the decision ultimately laid with Missouri Western.

The Board of Governors is expected to ratify the choice of Crossland at its meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Blum Student Union.

In making its bid, Crossland indicated that it will hire six local subcontractors to work on the facility.

The names of those subcontractors have not been released, citing legal concerns. However, Western may release the list after a meeting with Crossland on Friday.