Career Innovation Center (CIC) Development

Career Innovation Center (CIC) Grand Opening — August, 2025!

The Career Innovation Center (CIC) is set to open its doors in August 2025, marking a game-changing moment for the Fargo-Moorhead region and beyond. This cutting-edge facility will serve as a dynamic hub where students, industry leaders, and educators converge to redefine career preparation. With an emphasis on innovative learning and experiential education, the CIC offers students a seamless transition from high school to college, empowering them to pursue career pathways in high-demand fields such as Allied Health, Agriscience, Construction Trades, Transportation, and more. The center’s modern approach prioritizes real-world experiences over traditional lectures, ensuring learners gain the hands-on skills needed to thrive in today’s workforce.

Beyond its impact on learners, the CIC aims to strengthen North Dakota’s workforce by addressing the employment gap and aligning educational programs with industry needs. Regional employers and community partners will benefit from a steady pipeline of skilled talent, while students will have unparalleled access to internships, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities. By fostering direct connections between education and industry, the CIC creates a robust network that supports workforce recruitment, retention, and career advancement across the state.

Students at the CIC will have access to top-tier resources that support their academic, career, and personal development. From wellness programs and academic support services to hands-on workshops and state-of-the-art labs, the CIC is designed to support the whole learner. Whether they’re exploring a career in nursing, mastering welding techniques, or launching a business venture, students will find a supportive, resource-rich environment that adapts to their individual goals. The center’s programs reflect the needs of today’s industries, with special focus areas in engineering, robotics, EMS, and more. The much-anticipated opening may have taken longer than expected, but as with any ambitious project, the wait will be worth it. The CIC will open at 70% completion with a strategic plan to expand further.

This phased approach ensures that students and the community will soon experience the full vision of a center that maximizes resources and fosters career planning, growth, and innovation. The CIC is more than a building—it’s a beacon of opportunity, preparing future leaders and strengthening the workforce that will drive North Dakota forward.

Career Innovation Centers' Progress Continues (2022)

The North Dakota State College of Science Alumni/Foundation, in partnership with the Cass County Career and Technical Education Center (C3TEC), is moving forward with the construction progress on the new Career Innovation Center (CIC), located on 15 acres (of which 10 acres were donated by Dabbert Custom Homes) at 4230 64^th Avenue South in Fargo, N.D. The CIC groundbreaking took place in July 2021, and soon thereafter construction began on the more than 87 thousand square foot project. As you travel north along Interstate Highway 29 and look to the west, you will see the construction is progressing, adding to the growing skyscape.

The project continues to move forward with the confirmation of the $13 million funding awarded to ND CTE and C3TEC, which in turn will flow through the NDSCS Foundation. The journey of the CIC has been bolstered by an impressive consortium, including Northern Cass Schools, Central Cass School District, West Fargo Public Schools, Fargo Public Schools, NDSCS, and the NDSCS Foundation. Furthermore, a galvanized community of private, corporate, and municipal donors, including notable contributions from Fueling Our Future, City of Fargo, Cass County, City of West Fargo, Sanford, and HBA which underscores the widespread support for this initiative. The CIC is now scheduled to open in 2025.

While construction advances on the centrally located CIC, NDSCS is planning for the future, determining the needs of business and industry and providing solutions to learner requests. As the physical infrastructure develops, NDSCS is simultaneously laying the groundwork for the future. "Our vision transcends brick and mortar. We aim to catalyze career awareness, shaping the workforce of tomorrow," shares Kim Nelson, the Executive Director for the NDSCS Alumni Foundation. To learn more, visit NDSCS.edu/CIC.

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The career academy model, which NDSCS and CIC embrace, has consistently proven to be transformative in addressing workforce needs in various communities. The Fargo CIC is primed to become an educational nexus, projected to educate approximately 2,500 students and professionals annually. Its expansive space is set to host a myriad of academic programs and training arenas encompassing Construction, IT, Health Sciences (with a focus on Nursing and EMT), Manufacturing (Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics, Precision Machining, Rapid Prototyping, Welding), Business, General Education (English, Math, Science, Communication), and Agriculture.

CIC Partners