Groundbreaking of on-campus VIM hotel celebrated Friday at Montana State

BOZEMAN - More than 100 people gathered Friday at Montana State University to celebrate the groundbreaking of the VIM, a privately owned and operated hotel to be located on campus that will provide real-world experience to prepare Montana's next generation of leaders in the fast-growing hospitality and culinary fields.

"This is going to be a beautiful building and a wonderful addition to the Montana State University campus," said MSU Vice President for Student Success Steve Swinford in his remarks at the event. "I know Bobcat alumni and fans, the families of our current students and many, many others, are going to look forward to staying here when they come to Bozeman."

Named after lyrics from MSU's fight song, the VIM will not only provide accommodations for visitors to campus and the community but also offer hands-on training and internship opportunities for MSU students.

"I said it would be a beautiful building, but it's also going to be a unique building," Swinford said. "When it's completed, this hotel will be one of the very first teaching grounds in our state for hospitality professionals. We're incredibly proud to work with our partners to pave the way in this area. This building will be an important supplement to our academic programs in hospitality and an important means for our students to gain real-world experience while earning their degrees."

MSU offers four-year hospitality management programs in the College of Education, Health and Human Development and the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The former offers an option in sustainable hospitality, and the latter offers a hospitality business option. The programs prepare students to become skilled professionals within the expanding local, regional, national and global hospitality industries through courses in subjects including food and nutrition, culinary arts, business and agriculture, as well as hospitality-specific coursework emphasizing sustainability and quality customer service. Internships along the way ensure students have practical experience that makes them competitive candidates for jobs after graduation.

Gallatin College MSU also offers an associate of applied science degree in culinary arts and a certificate in hospitality, which opens the door to jobs in the local food services industry. Students may also opt for an entrepreneurial path toward owning a restaurant, bakery, food truck, catering or hospitality business. Both programs prepare students to transfer into MSU's hospitality management bachelor's program, if they wish.

Following a competitive proposal process, Lone Mountain Land Co., a subsidiary of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, was identified to develop the five-story hotel project, which will be operated as a Marriott Hotels franchise location. It is being built on land that MSU has leased to the developers.

In his remarks, Sam Byrne, co-founder and managing partner of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, called the groundbreaking celebration "the start of a new chapter that we hope and believe will enhance the quality of education and overall campus experience for all."

The 123,000-square-foot hotel will have 138 rooms and suites and 5,300 square feet of meeting and event space that can also be used as classrooms and teaching spaces, Byrne said. The VIM will also have food and beverage outlets inside, including a restaurant.

Byrne also called MSU "an important economic engine for the region."

"The culture, community, vibrancy and employment development that comes from Montana State is extraordinary," Byrne said. "We could not be successful here without it. Being partners with MSU is fundamental to our business."

Mike Dean, director of culinary arts for Gallatin College MSU, said the culinary arts program has been limited by the size of its current kitchen and facilities. Having the hotel on campus, with space for teaching and opportunities for internships, will enable the program to grow and serve more students, he said.

"These will be excellent educational opportunities for our students and all students on campus," Dean said. "Opportunities for internships and collaborations with the hotel will also lead to further opportunities for our students as they graduate."

Fran Albrecht, president and CEO of the MSU Alumni Foundation, thanked everyone for the various roles they played in the project.

"Thanks to each one of you: our alumni, donors, friends, faculty, staff and students, for being part of this special day," Albrecht said. "It's exciting to think about being in this hotel and walking across the street to cheer on our Bobcats."

Following the remarks, the speakers and others involved in the project took part in a ceremonial dig. The celebration concluded with a reception featuring hors d'oeuvres prepared by students in the Gallatin College MSU culinary arts program along with MSU Catering.

The VIM hotel is estimated to open in fall 2027.