Springfield's crime lab is more than half way finished but local officials are still trying to find out how they pay off the final loan. County and city leaders from across southwest Missouri got a look inside the crime lab that's still under construction. After they found out what the lab will do for the state, they were asked to help make it possible.

After all the planning and dreaming, the ups and downs it’s amazing to see the rooms dreamed about. I'm beside myself with happiness.” The crime lab that almost never was is about 60% complete. Two groups of local and state officials toured the building on Wednesday. Marbaker says the new, larger lab will speed up justice for everyone across the state because local evidence can be processed in Springfield. Marbaker says the Jefferson City lab is not only backlogged with evidence but lab workers spend hours on the road traveling to court in other counties. Marbaker says, "It will lessen the burden on our general headquarters."

Local leaders say the lab that will help the whole state needs some financial help of its own. Greene County Presiding Commissioner Dave Coonrod says, "There's been federal, funding, state funding now we're talking about the local share." The city of Springfield took out a $2.7 million loan to help pay for the $6.2 million dollar lab. Springfield City Manager Bob Cumley says, "There was no identified funding source but fortunately for this area the city council decided to go ahead and get the loan." The city agreed to pay $1.35 million or half of the loan. Greene County wants to pay 60% of the other half or about $800,000. The two are asking other cities and counties to help pay the rest. Coonrod says, "This is a regional facility that's why we are reaching out to our brothers and sisters." Officials would like at least 10 cities or counties to each pay $10,000 a year for five years. Marbaker says all of the money spent on the crime lab is worth it for every county and city because justice will no longer be delayed. Marbaker says, "Our goal is to process evidence in 30 to 60 days instead of 6 to 12 months."

Greene county officials plan to hold meetings with both city and county leaders from across the Ozarks to discuss specifics of paying off the crime lab's loan. Right now they aren't sure if they will base the amount each county pays on how often they use the lab or just accept what the counties can afford. The loan needs to be repaid by 2012.