Career Innovation Center Update

Category: Build-Remodel-Topics
08/19/2025

Project has been a labor of love for many,

including BIA-RRV members

Your Association is  thrilled that the Cass County Career Innovation Center (CIC) is officially open! This fall marks the first semester with students learning at the new facility. The Building Industry Association of the RRV and Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation were key players early on, supporting the project with over $1 million raised through member pledges and $100,000 each from the BIA-RRV and Foundation.

Serving as an additional space for area students to gain hands-on experience and explore various careers in the trades, the CIC will expand opportunities for area students.

Above: Representatives from BIA-RRV and Home Builders Care Foundation outside of the CIC.

 

Both the BIA-RRV and Home Builders Care Foundation look forward to continuing collaboration with the North Dakota State College of Science Foundation and Cass County Career and Technical Education (C3TEC) as they teach and provide opportunities for our future workforce. 

 

Background and an update on the center:
The center, located at 4230 64th Ave. S. in Fargo, is a collaboration between the NDSCS Foundation and C3TEC. Partner school districts include Central Cass, Fargo, Northern Cass and West Fargo. Various programs offered are automotive technology, manufacturing/welding, aviation, biomedical, business, construction, diesel technology, health science, marketing and information technology. These programs are currently shared across schools, and the CIC will expand access to them. All C3TEC students are eligible to participate at the center, and they’re anticipating approximately 100 students at the CIC in 2025–26.

Above: U.S. Senator John Hoeven makes remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Below: Dr. Rod Flanigan, NDSCS president makes remarks and project leaders at the ceremony.

 

Because it is the first year in operation, the primary focus is currently on high school and college students. However, the future vision would be to serve K–12, college and adult learners. Future opportunities also include skill development in construction, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, nursing, EMS, carpentry, UAS, culinary arts and more. 

The CIC seeks to partner with businesses to upskill employees and provide relevant training to strengthen our regional workforce. The BIA-RRV and Home Builders Care Foundation have been part of conversations and are eager to remain engaged to help shape what comes next, particularly for the construction wing. 

While the center has opened, the remaining financial need is roughly $9.3 million to complete the interior fit-up. CIC leadership is actively working on additional grants and donations. If you are interested in supporting the effort, please contact Elizabeth Kosel at (701) 232-5846.

BIA-RRV CEO Bryce Johnson says,

“This project has been a labor of love by many, including BIA-RRV members. Your generosity in time, donations, support and more is what has made this dream become a reality. The center not only provides a space for students to learn and explore but also helps address our region’s growing need for skilled professionals in the building industry.”

 

Above: BIA-RRV members tour the construction lab.

Below: BIA-RRV and Home Builders Care Foundation representatives meet with the NDSCS leadership team before the grand opening. 

Written by Elizabeth Kosel, Education & Public Affairs Specialist