Developing a healthy environment for small businesses to flourish in rural settings can be a huge boon to local economies. Now, extra funding will help one university looking to be that resource for northeast South Dakota.
Northern State University has received just under $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to build their Business and Health Innovation Center.
University president Neal Schnoor said it’s an opportunity for the entire region.
“These are among the highest workforce needs in our region and state across the fields of accounting, banking, nursing – these are going to be game-changers," Schnoor said. "Of course, those are the lynchpins of economic development for our region as well.”
Planning and development are already underway on campus.
“We have the building and design documents done – moving towards construction documents so we can start demolition here in Spring of ’24 and anticipate opening the facility by Fall of ’25," Schnoor said.
Schnoor said the facility will provide students with cutting-edge opportunities.
“The whole building is really designed to enhance recruitment, instruction, accessibility and collaboration," Schnoor said. "With this new facility and a renovation of Gerber Hall, Northern will have absolutely leading-edge science, education, business and fine arts facilities.”
Funding from the state, private donors and federal government have totaled over $150M invested in Northern State developments.