May 8, 2026:
Southeast Technical College broke ground Friday on the Wells Fargo Homebuilding Lab, a new campus expansion that will provide students with hands-on construction experience while supporting affordable housing efforts in the Sioux Falls region.
College leaders, students, community partners and elected officials gathered on Southeast Tech’s campus near the building site to mark the start of construction.
The Wells Fargo Homebuilding Lab will serve as a real-world learning environment where students gain practical skills in construction while contributing to community housing needs.
“Our goal is to give students meaningful, hands-on learning that prepares them for today’s workforce while making a positive impact in our community,” said Dr. Cory Clasemann, president of Southeast Technical College. “This project reflects what’s possible when education and industry work together, and we’re grateful to Wells Fargo for their investment in our students and in the long-term strength of the Sioux Falls region.”
Wells Fargo leaders emphasized the project’s focus on workforce development, education and community impact.
“Through our investment with Southeast Technical College, the Wells Fargo Homebuilding Lab will prepare students to graduate with the skills needed to build the future of Sioux Falls and thriving communities across all of South Dakota,” said Jason Rosenberg, Head of Public Affairs for Wells Fargo.
The project aligns technical education with regional workforce priorities by combining classroom instruction, experiential learning and community-focused outcomes.
“For students, this lab is about more than constructing a building,” said Clasemann. “It’s about building confidence, gaining real-world experience and meeting a real need in our community.”
The Wells Fargo Homebuilding Lab is designed to enhance STC’s construction-related programs and strengthen partnerships with industry and community stakeholders. Construction is expected to continue through spring 2027.
Dec. 5, 2025:
Southeast Technical College (STC) is creating new hands-on learning opportunities on its campus with the new Wells Fargo Homebuilding Lab, made possible by a transformative $2 million grant from Wells Fargo to the STC Foundation. The announcement was made at an on-campus event Friday (Dec. 5, 2025) attended by Gov. Larry Rhoden, U.S. Congressman Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken and television personality, author and advocate for the skilled trades, Mike Rowe.
The Wells Fargo Homebuilding Lab will provide students with real-world experience in residential construction while supporting affordable housing in the Sioux Falls region.
“We are deeply grateful to Wells Fargo for this generous investment in Southeast Tech and in our students. The new Homebuilding Lab will not only provide much-needed housing for families in our community but will also give our students the chance to build their own futures,” said STC president Cory Clasemann. “By working on these homes, students will gain the skills, confidence and industry connections to thrive in today’s workforce.”
The lab will be constructed on the south end of STC’s campus, between the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center and the Sioux Falls School District’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Academy. While STC trade students have historically built homes off campus through various industry partnerships, the Homebuilding Lab represents new opportunities for real-world learning on campus. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026.
“Wells Fargo is proud to continue investing in South Dakota through our support of Southeast Technical College,” stated Jason Rosenberg, Head of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo. “This partnership will deliver crucial workforce development training, equipping the next generation of skilled builders to bolster local communities across America.”
By combining classroom learning with on-site construction projects, the Homebuilding Lab is a powerful example of education making a direct, lasting impact. Wells Fargo’s support underscores Southeast Tech’s mission to deliver industry-relevant education that changes lives one student-and one home-at a time.
“In South Dakota, we build for the future – and that is exactly what this new homebuilding lab does,” said Governor Larry Rhoden. “It equips our students with the skills and resources they need to thrive, while also strengthening our communities one house at a time. Thank you to Wells Fargo and Southeast Tech for investing in the future of our students, communities, workforce and state.”
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