ABERDEEN, S.D. – Gov. Noem announced support for a new Business and Innovation Center at Northern State University in today’s budget address. The facility will also provide a new on-campus home for South Dakota State University’s accelerated nursing program, which is currently housed in Northern’s Mewaldt-Jensen building, and a welcoming front door to campus for Admissions and the community.
The proposed center, which would replace Lincoln and Briscoe halls, was previously approved as a South Dakota Board of Regents priority project for the 2022 legislative session.
“We appreciate Gov. Noem’s support of this vital project,” said Dr. Neal Schnoor, president of Northern State University. “This center will play a key part in recruiting and educating students for high-demand careers in our region and state and collaborating with the community to spur economic and workforce development across the region.”
The facility will include state-of-the-art business and classrooms, nursing simulation labs and modern social learning workspaces. It will also feature flexible entrepreneurial spaces to foster collaborative efforts such as the emerging digital economy incubator, a partnership with the Aberdeen Development Corporation.
The project will require legislative approval to proceed. If authorized, the Business and Innovation Center would tentatively open fall 2024.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $150 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.