Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - The Rochester Reading Center has announced a large gift and it should ensure the organization will likely move into its new building debt free.

The Reading Center is building a new facility at 2010 Scott Road NW and hopes to move in by late summer.

The center says it has received a $1-million gift from the Harper Family Foundation and will name the building after the charitable organization. That’s the largest gift in the Reading Center’s history. It helped the center nearly reach its $4.3-million fundraising goal to pay for the building. Other contributions came from the State of Minnesota ($1.5 million in bonding funds), Mayo Clinic and Otto Bremer Trust.

Here’s more info from the Reading Center:

Foundation Chairman Dr. Mike Harper was approached by two successful Reading Center alumni about our capital campaign – Mayo Physician, Dr. Brooks Edwards, and local businessman, Joe Powers. Following that introduction, Reading Center Executive Director, Cindy Russell, was invited to present to the Harper Family Foundation Trustees about our mission and capital campaign.

Reading Center Board Member, spouse, and parent of Reading Center alumni, and retired pediatrician, Dr. Terri Edwards says, “We are extremely grateful to the Harper Family Foundation for their support and their strong vote of confidence in The Reading Center. Their Foundation both challenges and inspires us to work to better our community. This gift is truly transformative and will allow The Reading Center to extend its reach and mission, providing literacy for all.”

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