Adaawe Wigamig Business & Cultural Center

Project
Summary

Meyer Group worked with Red Lake Nation and 4-Directions Development to redevelop the original Red Lake Tribal College. In August 2015, Red Lake Tribal College relocated and since then, the building has been abandoned. Meyer Group put together an estimated budget of cost to renovate the existing building, along with recommendations of feasibility construction. The building was out of date and did not meet code. After the feasibility study was wrapped up, Meyer Group assisted Red Lake to analyze options for the newly renovated building typology. Meyer Group then conducted a space needs analysis for a business incubator and proposed a renovation plan to Red Lake Nation. In 2017, the Adaawe Wigamig Business Incubator project was awarded a National Creative Placemaking Fund from ArtPlace America. The plans for the incubator are to house 4-Directions Development’s offices and staff, as well as 6-8 small businesses, an art gallery, art maker space, stage development for performing artists, a commercial kitchen for healthy food promotion and cooking classes, and a classroom for entrepreneurial, art, and food/ag trainings. The business incubator and creative art placement will provide new economic opportunities for Tribal members, and serve as the heart of the community to attract people (both on and off the Reservation) to participate with socializing, shopping, entertainment and tourism.