St. Cloud State’s School of Public Affairs (SOPA) will be celebrating the grand opening of the SOPA Research Institute Thursday.

The institute will promote joint research between SCSU students and faculty. Over 80,000 dollars has been gathered through four grants, and contracts signed by the institute with businesses, non-profits and governments.

Veteran SCSU economics professor King Banaian will serve as the director. He is the Co-author of the St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report, and has spoken with community and faculty partners interested in research opportunities.

The open house will begin at 3:00 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.

This free event will take place at St. Cloud State’s Stewart Hall in room 329, and is open to the public.