Laura Caroon, founder of the Luminary and a former Moorhead city council member and EDA board member, told the Moorhead Economic Development Authority on July that the Spark Center for Entrepreneurship will open inside the Loop, the new Moorhead Public Library and Community Center, by summer 2026.

"The Spark Center for Entrepreneurship will ignite innovation, foster inclusivity, and empower entrepreneurs in Moorhead," Caroon said, describing free or low-cost business tools, mentorship, meeting rooms, a presentation hall and co-working space available to local entrepreneurs.

The Spark Center is being built with a $1,000,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Caroon said, and the project was designed to align with goals in Moorhead's 2022 comprehensive plan. "Specifically, goal 2.1 [is] build a supportive environment for local businesses to thrive," she said, referencing the plan's economic competitiveness section.

Why it matters: Caroon said the center is intended to make entrepreneurship more accessible to BIPOC, women, veterans, new Americans and other underserved groups, and to connect entrepreneurs with partners including the SBDC, Dakota Business Lending and the Women's Business Center. "By lifting up one entrepreneur at a time, we're building that brighter, more vibrant future for Moorhead," she said.

The EDA heard that construction of the Loop is underway: roof installation, exterior and interior framing, sprinklers and electrical rough-ins, and ductwork are in progress. Caroon said the Spark Center will provide free Wi-Fi, access to printing, librarian support for research, pilot programming in 2025 6 and a full program launch in 2026.

Discussion, direction and next steps: Commissioners asked about partnership opportunities with existing local efforts, including a "global market" program and the Cultural Mall across the street. Commissioner White encouraged coordination between the Spark Center and the market; Caroon welcomed collaboration.

No formal EDA action was taken at the meeting; the presentation was an informational briefing and staff did not present a motion.

The presentation included renderings and a roadmap for the next 12 months, with the stated objective of having a fully operational Spark Center by summer 2026.