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Black Hills Children's Museum outlines plans for Box Elder site and capital campaign
Summary
Museum organizers told the council they have a donated five-acre site in Box Elder, exhibit plans focused on STEAM and cultural learning, and a phased schedule for board development and a capital campaign to raise funds for construction and operations.
Janessa Bixell, vice president of operations for the Black Hills Children's Museum, told the council the nonprofit has secured a donated five-acre lot from Dream Design near Main Street and has completed building concepts and exhibit designs.
"We wanna make Box Elder a must visit destination," Bixell said, noting nearest children's museums are more than 300 miles away. Susan Dotson, fundraising coordinator, outlined planned program areas (hands-on STEAM activities, creative play and cultural awareness) and said the museum is working through governance, policies and board recruitment with the consulting firm Innovative Nonprofit (INP).
Organizers said they have a phased timeline: April–June focused on infrastructure and board development, July–September for board recruitment and early fundraising, and October–December for launching a capital campaign and pursuing grants. They encouraged council members to consider partnering with the nonprofit to increase project viability.
Presenters provided a website (blackhillschildrensmuseum.org) and an email contact for follow-up; they said they expect to return later in the summer with updates. No council action or funding commitment was requested at this meeting.
