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In an Oct. 4 news release, the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation announced a new $2.5 million gift to New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center. The donation doubles an earlier $2.5 million contribution by the Hunt Family Foundation that facilitated the establishment of the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship at the Arrowhead Center in 2017.
“With this investment in the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem, our family foundation is highlighting its commitment to fostering the enterprising spirit and innovative technologies that drive economic prosperity in our region,” said Foundation Chair Woody L. Hunt.
The contribution will be used to grow the strength and diversity of entrepreneurship in the Borderplex region by increasing access to early-stage investment and educating and encouraging students to bring innovative products and services to commercial markets, the news release said.
“This generous contribution will significantly bolster the Hunt Center’s efforts to support new ideas and entrepreneurship opportunities in the region,” NMSU interim President Jay Gogue said. “It means that we will be able to do even more to nurture emerging entrepreneurs, propel nascent businesses, expedite technology commercialization, and facilitate the exchange of invaluable industry insights.”
One of the initiatives that the new grant will support is a program that will be known as “The Mike Hunt Construction Sprints.” Named for the Hunt Companies vice chair, Sprints will include speaker events, business model workshops, idea-generation programs, networking opportunities and awards for NMSU students, all with the aim of accelerating businesses through innovative construction technologies, the foundation said.
“The Sprints will capture the excitement and challenges of building something new while also promoting learning and reflection,” Hunt said. “After a lifetime of working at the intersection of construction, innovation, and business, I cannot imagine a more meaningful honor than to have this program named after me.”
“We are proud to serve as a collaborative hub in the growth and evolution of new enterprises in the Borderplex,” Arrowhead Center Director Kathy Hansen said. “The Hunt family deserves credit for their foresight and commitment to our entrepreneurship ecosystem, and for understanding the profound impact that strategic philanthropy can have on a community. With this new gift, we hope to establish the Hunt Center as a national exemplar when it comes to enhancing access to entrepreneurial resources.”
The foundation has long been committed to supporting sustainable programs that can make a widespread and prolonged impact in the Borderplex region, the news release said. Started in 1987, the foundation focuses on support for nonprofit initiatives in six categories, including education and regional economic development.
Visit https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/the-hunt-center/ and www.huntfamilyfoundation.com.
