Tom Klapperich, president of Home Federal Savings Bank in Austin, presented a $5,000 donation recently for The Hormel Institute’s future Live Learning Center.

Home Federal joins other businesses, organizations and individuals locally and statewide that have committed funds to the project that will allow The Hormel Institute to connect globally and bring international conferences to Austin. Every donation is appreciated and other business gifts $5,000 and up include Hormel Foods Corp. ($200,000); U.S. Bank ($150,000); Ecolab ($50,000); Adams, Rizzi & Sween, P.A. ($10,000); Accentra Credit Union ($5,000); and Quality Pork Processors ($5,000).

The Hormel Institute is seeking donations for a remaining $460,000 from other businesses, individuals and organizations for the overall $4.5 million Live Learning Center that will accelerate answers to cancer and foster vital scientific collaborations.

With its 2014-16 Expansion that also includes a 20-lab addition, The Hormel Institute will be adding about 130 jobs over the coming years, with new jobs expected to have an average starting pay of $40,000 to $50,000 a year. Those jobs are higher than the current average wage in Austin and will provide $5 million to $6 million in additional annual payroll, which is a tremendous boost for a rural community of about 25,000, said John Garry, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Development Corp. of Austin.

Tax-deductible gifts can be made to “The Hormel Institute” in support of the Live Learning Center. A receipt will be provided for the charitable tax gift. Donation cards are available at The Hormel Institute and The Hormel Foundation. Gifts of $500 or more will be honored on a new donor wall in the Live Learning Center, and those donors who give $1,000 or more will be invited to the June 1 historic reception for its first international cancer conference. Donations can be sent to The Hormel Institute, 801 16th Ave. N.E., Austin, MN, 55912. For more information, call 507-437-9604.