South Piedmont Community College has officially broken ground on its new Center for Entrepreneurship, a transformative facility aimed at supporting innovation, small business growth, and entrepreneurial development to support Union County and surrounding areas.
The new center will be located on the front right corner of South Piedmont’s Old Charlotte Highway Campus in Monroe and will serve as a community-focused space designed to support entrepreneurs and small businesses at all stages by fostering creativity, sparking innovation, and collaboration.
The two-story, 49,000-square-foot building will be packed with modern amenities tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and professionals. These features include:
- Coworking space that includes private offices, suites, and “hotdesks” that can be used for short-term use.
- A 508-seat, movie-theater-style auditorium ideal for conferences and large presentations.
- A podcast/videography studio designed for entrepreneurs to create professional-quality content.
- A café and catering kitchen.
- A distinctive barrel roof design, adding to the innovative, welcoming atmosphere.
- An outdoor patio accommodating up to 100 people.
“It’s going to be special — it’s a community building,” said Erik Dagenhart, South Piedmont’s construction manager. Dagenhart, who brings over 20 years of experience and has worked with South Piedmont for the past three years, is overseeing the project. He noted that the construction site has its own entrance and parking, ensuring minimal disruption to regular campus activity.
Once completed, the Center will be led by Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Renee Hode. The building is intended primarily for public and professional use, serving as a one-stop resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners to work, collaborate, and exchange ideas.
Designed to bring people together, the space aims to cultivate a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship. As Dagenhart put it, the Center will be “for entrepreneurs to gather and work together, to feed off each other.”
The new Center for Entrepreneurship promises to become a cornerstone of the community — offering a dynamic space where ideas, businesses, and people can thrive together.
Construction officially began June 25 and is projected to be completed in December 2026. More updates will be shared as construction progresses.