Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved a transformative new facility that will house Stephen F. Austin State University’s Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship during its regularly scheduled meeting May 7-8.
The building of the same name will be constructed next to the future home of SFA’s $85 million Forestry Building and Agricultural Engineering and Technology Building on Raguet Street between Hayter and East College streets beginning in July 2025, with substantial completion anticipated by February 2027.
The $40 million project includes $21 million from the state’s Permanent University Fund bond proceeds and $19 million from general revenue appropriated by the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023.
“The regents are proud to make another investment in this great university, and we are especially pleased that such an important program for students and faculty will have a new facility,” said Kevin P. Eltife, UT System Board of Regents chairman. “The Greg Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship continues to establish itself as a signature center for all of East Texas.”
The Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship, which was recently recognized as one of the top three emerging entrepreneurship programs in the nation by the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, was established in 2023 to support innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurial growth across campus and East Texas. SFA’s entrepreneurship academic program launched in fall 2020.
“This state-of-the-art facility not only will strengthen SFA’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation but also will be a key resource in East Texas' entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering regional economic growth by guiding students to collaborate with local businesses and government to discover their vision,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president.
The two-story, 39,170-square-foot building will offer immersive and flexible spaces tailored to modern entrepreneurial education, including simulated learning environments, dedicated coworking spaces and innovation labs.
The facility’s multipurpose LED volume production studio, which will feature technology to create realistic and immersive virtual environments for film, television and video production, will be available for collaborative projects and entrepreneurial ventures across SFA’s areas of study. These disciplines encompass media and communications; forestry and agriculture; health care; science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM; and education, including the university’s construction management and aviation sciences programs.
With the approval of the design development plans and funding allocation, SFA moves one step closer to creating a dynamic hub for future business leaders, visiting entrepreneurs and students eager to bring their ideas to life.
For more information on SFA’s Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship, visit sfasu.edu/ace.