Investment in Pine Technical College will Spur Economic Development and Jobs

Entrepreneurship is alive and well and making more headway in the Pine City area. Pine Technical College received a $1.4 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration to assist in renovating an existing building for development of an entrepreneurship center and technology business incubator. The $2.4 million entrepreneurial center will receive other funding from various state sources including the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

The project will take advantage of the latest in technology infrastructure, including fiber optics and broadband internet access, and is expected to do much to advance productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the region. The high-bay incubator space is intended to be flexible enough for customizing company needs. Congressman James Oberstar believes that “This project will help attract new businesses and jobs and help retain existing jobs in the community.”

The project is anticipated to have a job-creation impact of 800 and result in additional investment that will advance productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the region. The renovation and building expansion on campus will begin this spring, and it will be an exciting venture to watch. Congratulations Pine Tech!