Commissioner Pogemiller Tours Inver Hills

Visit highlights $698,000 investment to renovate Technology & Business Center

Commissioner Larry Pogemiller, Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE), toured Inver Hills Community College Wednesday afternoon, March 21, 2018, to highlight Governor Mark Dayton’s recommendation for funding included in his Capital Investment bill. Governor Dayton has recommended $698,000 as a first step to modernize and renovate lab and classroom space for technology and business programs. The intent is to upgrade 31,800 square feet of the existing Technology & Business Center, creating state-of-the-art learning environments for programs that lead to high-paying, high-demand careers.
Additionally, Dayton has requested an additional $5.98M for HEAPR. The funds are needed for crucial upgrades to electrical infrastructure, HVAC systems and roofing.
Accompanying Commissioner Pogemiller on the tour were Tim Wynes, JD, president of Inver Hills and Dakota County Technical College, Lynda Milne, Inver Hills interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, Paul DeMuth, operations director for Inver Hills and DCTC, Marlo Teal, project manager for Inver Hills and DCTC marketing and communications, and Kat Klima, communications assistant at OHE.

Technology & Business Center gallery

Commissioner Pogemiller tour gallery

More about the Technology & Business Center Renovation

2018 Request: $698 thousand for design
2020 Request: $14.745 million for construction

Project Overview

• Renovate 31,800 square feet of existing Technology & Business Center (TBC)
  • Create 11 flexible sized technology adapted classrooms for the computer network technologies & security (CNT), paralegal and business programs
  • Create four specialized CNT classrooms to connect to the CNT Networking Lab
• Connect the Technology & Business Center and Heritage Hall to improve access to informal computing and STEM advising
• Correct more than $6.536 million in deferred maintenance, which is more than 30 percent of the college’s total deferred maintenance

Impact to Academic Space & College

• Significantly reduce current Facilities Condition Index (FCI) from 0.56 to 0.10
• Better accomodate CISCO teaching classroom’s space utilization needs for networking equipment
• Eliminate most of the unuseable space created by the sloped roof which comprises more than 30 percent of the current building
• Improve energy efficiency while also providing access to natural sunlight not had by more than 50 percent of the current classroom spaces
• Maintain the unique aspects of the campus’ architectural identity while providing a modernized framework to follow into the future

Impact on Workforce, Community & State

• Nearly 30 percent of Americans with associates degrees now make more than those with baccalaureate degrees according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.
• Recent research in several states shows that on average, community college graduates right out of school make more than graduates of four-year universities. (cnn.com, February 2013)
• STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to 6.4 percent growth in non-STEM related occupations. (U.S. Department of Commerce, July 2011)
• Expand and supports opportunities available through a federal grant program with Apple Valley high school that provides students with the opportunity to explore STEM careers and earn college credit with still in high school.

To learn more about Capital Investment and HEAPR funding for Inver Hills, contact:

Marlo Teal
Project Manager
Inver Hills Community College
651-423-8268
Sandy Connolly
Director of Communications
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
651-259-3902