MANKATO — An ambitious development plan starring a $60 million sports and events stadium at Minnesota State University is already 50 percent funded with the lead support of Glen and Becky Taylor as well as Taylor Corp.
MSU officially launched its “Future State” fundraising campaign Wednesday evening, unveiling plans for the future Becky and Glen Taylor Community Stadium, which is planned as a regional hub for sports, recreation, wellness and community events.
The stadium will feature 6,500 seats and capacity for up to 12,000 attendees during concerts or championships. It will serve as the new home for Maverick football and soccer, while also inviting high school teams from across southern Minnesota to play on its field.
The first phase of development is expected to open in 2029 and is to be entirely funded through private donations. Funding for future development phases will come from a combination of business and stakeholder partnerships, rental revenue and student outdoor fees, according to an MSU press release.
The investment in athletics is just one part of a larger vision to transform the roughly 200 acres on the southern edge of campus into a vibrant, multi-use district by 2029, MSU President Edward Inch said. The campaign outlines a sweeping plan to build new student housing, add mixed-use commercial and wellness space, and expand trail and recreation systems — all designed to better serve students, and invest in the future of the community at large.
“In a community too often, universities silo themselves off, and it’s called the ivory tower,” Inch said. “The goal is to bring people to Mankato and to build up southern Minnesota as a destination.”
The public launch event at the Taylor Center on campus welcomed students, alumni, faculty and residents for an optimistic call for donations to meet the second half of the $60 million goal. The arena was loud with the music of the pep band as the audience filed in and young junior athletes sat prominently in the audience, symbolizing the future of Mankato this project aims to nurture.
“The real excitement is around creating a destination space,” Inch said. “I think people got excited about the larger concept. You know, our largest donor got excited about a bigger concept than just a stadium. I think when people imagine that it’s just a stadium, they think it’s only about Maverick football.”
Charlie Whitaker is the CEO of Taylor Corporation, a major player in funding for the initial phases of the development. Founded by Minnesota mogul and billionaire Glen Taylor, the graphic communications company has played a key part in getting this off the ground.
“Myself, Glen and Becky Taylor and the Taylor Corporation are all in,” Whitaker said.
Construction is to take place over multiple phases, the first slated to begin in fall 2027. It will include construction of the Becky and Glen Taylor Community Stadium and renovation of the existing track and field facility. The track area will serve as a temporary venue for the 2028 football season following the retirement of Blakeslee Stadium. This phase will include the development of a plaza next to the stadium for events such as vendor fairs, farmers markets and community festivals.
The second phase will see a residence hall go up at the site of the current stadium. In addition to student living space, the hall will include services such as student health facilities, retail shops and wellness amenities. The final includes updates to the university’s walking and biking trails and the addition of amenities like pickleball and tennis courts, youth sports areas and outdoor fitness stations. It will be available to the wider community, across age demographics.
During the event, other key donors were announced including ISG, Pepsi, Taylor Corporation, the Taylor Foundation, UNRL and Vetter Stone.
Whitaker said in addition to meeting with donors, focus groups were hosted for interested community members on and off campus, who contributed and met their goal of raising 50% of the funds needed, just over $30 million before going public with the campaign.
“It is in lockstep with Taylor Corporation’s values,” Whitaker said of the vision. “The time is now. The time is right, and there’s urgency around completing the fundraising part and putting the first shovel in the ground.”
Inch said initial conversations around the project began with a formal steering committee launching in May 2024. The effort, he said, was shaped by a broad coalition of stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni and regional leaders. The result is a plan that aligns with the university’s long-term growth strategy and the hope that graduating students in their mid 20s and 30s will put down roots in the region.
“This is an investment in the economic future of my business,” Inch said a steering committee member told him. “This is something that will draw people to this town, will draw people from other places, who may find that Mankato is an awfully good place.”
Inch said the timing of the announcement amid the retrenchment of seven faculty members across multiple departments is “awkward” because the public might be wondering why the money funneling into this project couldn’t fund those faculty members. He said the move was less about balancing the budget and more to “move teaching resources to where our students are,” which was a “painful and difficult decision.”
“The reason we go now is not to lose momentum and miss the deadline, because some of the gifts have timelines on them,” he said. “So waiting a year or whatever would be a challenge, because if you lose momentum, then we’re not going to go anywhere.”
Economic benefits are expected to be significant. A 2023 impact study by Stone Planning estimates the project will generate more than $4.3 million in local spending each year. Over three decades, the development is expected to result in $94 million in gross regional spending and a $28 million net income.
Amy Cooney, vice president of university advancement, said it’s expected the project will return more money than it takes to develop.
“Through the summer, we’ve had small-scale engagement events, and really they’ve spoken to why now? Why is this important for Mankato and our surrounding community in our region, not just Minnesota State?” Cooney said. “And then it’s connecting with the hearts and minds of our donors and what they are really looking to make an influence on.”
Inch said transparency and community input have been priorities throughout the planning process. University officials have held regular briefings with stakeholders.
“For our region as a whole, to succeed, all sectors must work in concert,” President and CEO of Mankato Area Foundation Nancy Zallek said at the event. “Business, government, education and nonprofits, our success is truly interdependent.”
Andrew Colleran, Student Government president, participated in a project focus group prior to being elected for the 2025-26 school year and said he felt like the “sky was the limit” with this development. For him one of the most striking aspects of the project is easier access to food and groceries through a store that will offer broad international food options for students.
“I think this is revolutionary,” Colleran said. “I’m most excited to have more accessible food for students, that is not only available and accessible, but also embraces the multiculturalism that is Mankato and our university.”
Leaders say the Future State campaign is about more than expansion. It’s about reimagining the role of a modern campus in supporting not just academic success but community health, economic vitality and regional pride.