Dickinson State University has leased the Strom Center building to a Dickinson pre-school.
The Strom Center contained entrepreneurship programs. It closed earlier this year.
In its present location, Learning Ladder Preschool currently offers pre-school classes to children ages 3 to 5. The owner – Alyssa Kuntz – is planning to add staff and increase classes at the Strom Center – and will eventually offer child care service for those children from zero to 12.
Dickinson State University president Dr. Thomas Mitzel said when the decision was made to close the Strom Center, he had two goals in mind.
"We wanted to make sure the programming offered by the Strom Center would continue," Mitzel said. "e are doing that by integrating those programs into the campus, as part of our Department of Business and Department of Accounting."
Mitzel said he's also working with Dickinson city officials and the Small Business Development Center.
"We want to offer what the Strom Center was originally offering," Mitzel said.
And when it came to the building, Mitzel said he wanted to make sure it would continue to be used for positive outreach. He said several proposals were made – and this one rose to the top of the list. Mitzel said there’s a strong need for child care and pre-school in Dickinson.
"Only about 30 percent of Dickinson children are served right now," Mitzel said. "We have a great need. And we thought this was a great way to give back to the city."
Child care and pre-school enrollment is expected to begin in mid-September.
