BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State University (MSU) and its partners officially opened the EngineWorks building on the MSU Innovation Campus last week, marking a major milestone for research, industry collaboration, and economic growth in Montana. Approximately 80 university, industry, and community representatives attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 18.
Speakers at the event included Mark Sharpe, executive director of the MSU Innovation Campus; Alison Harmon, MSU vice president of research and economic development; Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham; Brit Fontenot, director of economic development for Bozeman; Julia Mortier, EngineWorks community manager; and Adam Friedman, head of business development and leasing with Charter Realty.
Sharpe highlighted the uniqueness of the facility. “You will not find another building like this anywhere in the state of Montana,” he said. “As executive director of the MSU Innovation Campus, I am honored to be part of this great work.”
The 87,000-square-foot EngineWorks building is designed to foster innovation through dynamic office and community spaces. It includes 61,000 square feet of customizable workspaces for long-term tenants and 26,000 square feet of shared spaces, such as conference and huddle rooms, kitchens, event areas, and outdoor gathering spaces.
“What makes a building special is the people who populate it and who brought it to fruition,” said Fontenot. “This project is proof of what the right partners can do together. I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
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The building hosts a variety of MSU-affiliated and private tenants:
MSU’s interdisciplinary research facility focused on quantum computing.
An MSU spinout developing radiation-tolerant computer technology for space applications.
Builds defense technology products using AI to accelerate human decision-making.
Serves as a hub for Montana’s optics, photonics, and quantum companies.
Works with companies and universities to rapidly deploy technologies for national defense.
Project partners included Charter Realty and Development, Martel Construction, A&E: Architecture and Design, SterlingCMG, and MT Contracting.
Mayor Cunningham acknowledged the long-term efforts to bring the Innovation Campus to life. “They’re the reason we’re now taking flight,” he said.
Harmon praised the significance of EngineWorks in connecting research, industry, and students. “This is an exciting night. … We’re hungry for spaces like this. And as we cut the ribbon tonight … I just want to say this is one of the most exciting things happening at MSU. This is just the beginning.”
The MSU Innovation Campus aims to foster collaboration between companies and university researchers, support entrepreneurship, and boost Montana’s profile as a national leader in innovation. EngineWorks is expected to be a central hub for these activities, offering opportunities for companies, faculty, and students to co-develop technologies and grow ventures locally.
For more information about EngineWorks and the MSU Innovation Campus, visit MSU Innovation Campus.
Originally reported by Anne Cantrell, MSU News Service in Montana State University.
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