Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Entrepreneurship topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Spark Center reports strong early use, expands programs for local entrepreneurs
Summary
At the June 1 Moorhead EDA meeting, Spark Center director Laura Caroon said the space is seeing heavy use since its April opening and outlined upcoming training, youth camps and networking events aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs and underrepresented communities.
The Moorhead Economic Development Authority heard a briefing June 1 from Spark Center director Laura Caroon on the facility’s first months of operation and a slate of programs aimed at helping new and growing businesses.
"People love the booth spaces and the different seating options and the co-working space," Caroon said, describing steady demand since the April 8 opening and a range of activities from co‑working previews to targeted classes. She told commissioners the center has hosted a photo shoot for local entrepreneurs, an influencer/co‑working day and a "Spark School" session on claiming and maintaining Google Business profiles.
Caroon listed upcoming offerings that EDA members said they supported: a 12‑week FastTrack entrepreneurship course starting June 2 focused on BIPOC and New American entrepreneurs; "Wildly Possible," a teen entrepreneurship camp June 29–30; a Startup Brew Moorhead takeover Aug. 20; and regular Spark Bites lunch‑hour talks and networking events. She also said Senator Tina Smith recently toured the center and met local entrepreneurs.
Why it matters: Caroon and members framed the Spark Center as a regional hub intended to connect entrepreneurs with training, partners and affordable meeting space. Commissioners urged staff to explore using the space for applied incubation and to coordinate with city budget planning later in June and July so the program’s next steps can be resourced.
Commissioners noted the role nonprofit and partner organizations play in programming; Caroon credited the West Central Minnesota SBDC, North Dakota Women’s Business Center and Downtown Moorhead Inc. for helping deliver classes and outreach.
The EDA did not take any action at the meeting; staff said they will return with additional information if the authority asks for pilot incubator programming or budget commitments.
