For the last ten years, Scott County and its cities have been working on creating a post-secondary education opportunity in the region.  Currently, anyone interested in post-secondary education must travel to Mankato to Minnesota State University or to Bloomington to Normandale or other community colleges in the region.

The Live, Learn and Earn committee of Scott County, led by the First Stop Shop of the Scott County CDA and Jennifer Brewington on city staff, have been meeting to discuss options along with how to provide a training space for local companies along with space for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. 

The city entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Minnesota State University-Mankato and its partners to explore establishing a facility in the region.

Working with the Collaborative Design Group and Gensler Architects, plans have been developed that will offer state-of-the-art classroom spaces, training space for industry including high bay space with overhead power and crane equipment, offices for startup companies, common meeting spaces, a flexible space for training and events, a commercial kitchen for food related enterprises and training that will also support the event space, and offices for some University and support personnel.

The federal EDA requires a guaranteed maximum price for the entire project including all building, furniture, fixtures, technology and equipment.  The preliminary estimate from our consultant including all permits and fees is $16,711,000.  Staff will be submitting a request to the EDA for full funding of the project.