BVU’s Lamberti Center Relocates From Downtown Storm Lake Foundry to Grand Hall

Buena Vista University’s Donald F. and Charlene K. Lamberti Center for Rural Entrepreneurship is moving out of The Foundry at 524 Lake Ave in downtown Storm Lake and into the first floor of Grand Hall on BVU’s campus, with renovation of that floor scheduled to begin “this summer,” according to the university announcement summarized by Innovationia. The center will continue operating at The Foundry until the Grand Hall work is complete.

Two separate major gifts are cited in reporting on the move: BVU received a $2.9 million donation from Don Lamberti, founder and CEO of Casey’s General Stores, in September 2019 to establish the center, and Innovationia reports the campus relocation was “made possible by a $2 million anonymous gift.” The sources do not explicitly link the two gifts; BVU has not provided wording reconciling how each gift is being allocated.

The Foundry, leased by BVU beginning in May 2020, offers co-working and remote office space, individual workstations, small and large conference rooms, private meeting rooms, printing and scanning technology, and event space with “a view of downtown” and a fireplace. The Storm Lake city description of The Foundry says it “supports entrepreneurs and serves as a hub for innovation, education, and economic development in the community.” Tenants such as Levity Tech were named in BVU reporting as having 24/7 access to office suites, while office resources are available to BVU students during regular business hours.

Earlier coverage preserved direct statements attributed to “Sterling” about the program’s aims and services. Sterling said, “The Foundry is also a co-working space for people visiting Storm Lake, whether they are associated with the university or not. If they need a place to utilize technology such as printing capabilities, scanning, or office support features, they are welcomed here as well.” Sterling added, “The Foundry will give our students an advantage moving into the job market or setting them up to start their own company,” and noted efforts to retain graduates who might otherwise relocate to Minneapolis, Omaha, or Des Moines.

Public reaction to BVU’s downtown effort has been visible on social media: a Mindful Leadership Facebook post on February 5, 2021 praising BVU’s vision recorded 67 reactions, 4 comments and 3 shares. City and university next steps still require verification: Innovationia’s timeline uses “this summer” without specifying a year, and identities and roles for the person credited as Sterling were not provided in source excerpts. Reporters recommend confirming Grand Hall renovation scope, contractor, and schedule with BVU facilities, and clarifying whether the Foundry’s lease or tenant arrangements at 524 Lake Ave will change after the Lamberti Center relocates.

Will shifting the Lamberti Center onto campus change foot traffic or business promotion in downtown Storm Lake? Share your experiences or tips from local businesses about how The Foundry has affected Lake Avenue, or contact Storm Lake City Hall at 620 Erie Street, P.O. Box 1086, Storm Lake, IA 50588, phone 712-732-8000 (hours Monday–Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for official city input.