N.C. University to Debut Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub

Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., recently announced that it will open a new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub aimed at connecting learning communities with businesses to reimagine and invigorate the workforce. The facility is the first of its kind in the region and is supported by investments from both the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

Housed in a 6,500-square-foot space that formerly served as the university's bookstore, the hub will feature open workspaces for students and community members, conference rooms, technology resources such as laptops and 3D printers, faculty consultations, business skills workshops, entrepreneurial summits, experiential learning opportunities for students and more, FSU explained in a news announcement. The university expects the hub to generate at least 30 new jobs or business within two years.

"Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of our new economy," said Fayetteville city Mayor Mitch Colvin, in a statement. "The City of Fayetteville now has a centrally located one-stop-shop for small businesses to get the support they need. We are stronger together and are excited to partner with FSU to strengthen our workforce in an innovative way."

"FSU has embarked upon a new era of grooming business leaders of tomorrow with our state-of-the art Innovation Hub," said Chancellor Darrell T. Allison. "We are thankful to the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County for supporting this vision and investing in the future economic engine."

"The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub represents our commitment to be a resource to the city, county and region," added Wesley Fountain, associate vice chancellor for Community Relations and Economic Partnerships at the university.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Planning with Clarity: Using AI to Make Better Campus Decisions, Not Just Better Designs

    Higher education leaders are being asked to make increasingly high-stakes decisions about campus facilities amid greater uncertainty than ever before. Social and economic pressures, shifting enrollment, and evolving learning models compete with growing deferred maintenance needs to strain even the most robust infrastructure budgets.

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.

  • Dallas-Area District Debuts Three New Facilities

    The Duncanville Independent School District in southwest Dallas, Texas, recently held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for three new facilities that resulted from a $170-million bond program passed in 2023, according to a news release.

  • Secret to Efficient, On-Time School Infrastructure & Modernization Projects is All in the Preparation

    Warmer weather and longer days make summer the ideal time for construction and modernization projects at educational facilities. School boards and construction firms must coordinate effectively to ensure that these projects do not extend even a single day into the school year and impede classroom operation.