This expansion of Institute research programs was just the beginning of major new developments, largely due to the initiative and generosity of Richard Knowlton. Like Jay Hormel a half century earlier, Knowlton had been born and raised in Austin and later became his home town’s major benefactor. As the long-time CEO of Hormel Foods Corp., he had dramatically increased the company’s value, and that of The Hormel Foundation, its major shareholder.
In 2006, The Hormel Foundation and Hormel Foods Corp., together with other donors from the Austin community, and with the enthusiastic support of the University, under its new President Robert Bruininks, funded a new state-of-the-art research building to accommodate the further expansion of the Institute's cancer research program. This multi-million dollar structure encompasses 20 new research laboratories, plus adjacent instrument rooms, cold rooms and faculty offices, while the original structure was completely remodeled to provide administrative office space, a conference center, media center, library, lunch rooms and research support space.
Ground for the new construction was broken in August 2006 and the opening festivities occurred in October 2008, almost exactly 66 years after the Hormel Institute was founded. While construction proceeded, new faculty members were recruited, with major financial support of the University.
The Grand Opening of the new building took place on October 3, 2008.
The opening ceremonies of the new research building were attended by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Congressman Tim Walz, as well as University President Robert Bruininks, Hormel Foundation Chairman Richard Knowlton, Hormel Foods Corp. Chairman, President and CEO Jeffrey Ettinger, Mayo Clinic CEO Glenn S. Forbes, and James C. Hormel, son of the Institute's founder. This celebration brought Institute faculty and staff together with local community leaders and a large cross section of the people of Austin, emphasizing the importance of the Institute's research, not only for the understanding, prevention and potential cure of cancer, but also for the economic health and further development of the local community and the State of Minnesota.
The stunning completion of The Hormel Institute Expansion Project made for a year of joyful celebration, historic progress and great appreciation for the beautiful, world class facility that was produced. The $23.4 million project was completed in 2008. Included in this celebration was another first – a three day International Cancer Research Conference held in Austin, Minnesota, which brought top researchers from around the world to our community.
