Northwestern State University of Louisiana and the Louisiana School for the Math, Science, and the Arts plan to break ground on Innovation Park within the next year.
Innovation Park will serve as a collaborative space for NSU and LSMSA students, intended to be an innovative and incubation center for small business and entrepreneurs to get ideas and advice.
According to NSU’s website, this project is a part of the larger City of Natchitoches Master Plan that looks to connect NSU, LSMSA, the historic downtown district and the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. This project is designed to spark economic growth, attract investment and create a more united community.
The project came to fruition when Laurie Morrow, executive director for economic development and university advancement, first came to NSU. She wanted to bring in more opportunities for business and industry, workforce development, customized training and partnerships.
“So, I was just very passionate about helping the people of these rural parishes that don’t necessarily have the service here locally,” Morrow said, explaining there’s nothing within 70 miles that will provide this type of service. “It’s really important to me that folks understand this is not just an agriculture-centric project, but a regional project.”
Jill Leo, associate director of innovation at NSU, explained that this is a capital outlay project, meaning it will be funded through the state. According to the NSU’s website, the project total is $18 million, with $12 million being funded through capital outlay projects and $6 million from private and federal sources.
“It is an 18-month construction project, so we will be looking at 2028. We plan to break ground at the end of 2026, and then hopefully we will finish in 2028,” she said. Leo added that once the spring legislative session is complete in early March, documents should go out for bid in the summer and construction will begin this time next year.
Innovation Park will span across 12 acres of land, providing the New Family Makerspace with 10,450 square feet, Business Development Center with 11,350 square feet and Conference Center with 8,000 square feet.
The New Family Makerspace was named after Bill New, a graduate of LSMSA, who served on the foundation board and donated $1 million toward the building, according to Leo. This space, which is primarily dedicated to LSMSA students, will feature hands-on activities, ranging from robotics, woodworking, art, photography, 3D printing and more. “This is really going to be able to enhance what they do on a day-to-day basis with the extra equipment, classrooms and whatnot,” Leo explained.
Steve Horton, executive director of LSMSA, shared how the park will be a catalyst for economic growth and education advancement in Natchitoches. “Innovation Park will help us integrate experiential learning into our curriculum in a sustainable way,” Horton said. “Over time, we expect it to become a cornerstone of LSMSA’s approach to education, where creativity, collaboration and innovation are as central as academic rigor.”
Horton added that the CoLab within the facility will provide a space where ideas can move from concept to prototype, preparing students for a rapidly changing world. LSMSA students will be able to collaborate with peers and professionals, access advanced tools and learn the entrepreneurial process firsthand.
“Innovation Park aligns perfectly with that vision [to prepare students for a rapidly changing world] by fostering creativity, collaboration and real-world problem solving. It stands for the kinds of forward-thinking approaches we want to embed in every aspect of our educational model and mission,” Horton said.
Leo explained that the Business Development Center will serve as the regional hub for not only Natchitoches, but the surrounding parishes. “This is not just for Natchitoches. We want this to be for all our surrounding parishes. We want them to come here, and to be able to help them because when they’re successful, we’re successful,” Leo said.
The center will also house the local Natchitoches Economic Development Alliance, Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce and Bank of Montgomery, as well as co-working spaces and offices that will be available for rent.
Career Services will also be relocated to the Business Development Center, providing NSU students with resources for entrepreneurship. Several economic development organizations such as Louisiana Central, North Louisiana Economic Partnership, Entrepreneur Accelerated Program and more will put on workshops and programs.
“In theory, the idea is that they would come talk to us, and we would kind of see what their need is. Maybe we can plug them into some of the programming that we’re doing right then and there,” Leo said. “Those are free resources. So, I think just depending on where they’re at, we want to meet them where their needs are.”
According to NSU’s website, the Conference Center will be designed to support entrepreneurs, students and the community.
While the plan to begin construction moves forward, Morrow sees Innovation Park becoming a landmark for Natchitoches. “I envision this building as being the gateway to the city. Innovation Park is set to become a signature landmark for Natchitoches, where vision meets opportunity, where the next generation of creators, leaders and the entrepreneurs will develop the skills to shape the future,” Morrow said.
Through NSU and LSMSA’s collaboration, Innovation Park reflects a long-term plan to prepare students for future academic and career-driven paths both on and off its campus.
