The Nielson family exemplifies innovation and entrepreneurship. Along with his brother, Mike, Scott Nielson built Southern Utah’s most successful RV dealership from the ground up. Now, Nielson’s new project takes recreational vehicles into a new realm with the one-of-a-kind Glampers Inn resort.
It’s that combination of ingenuity and determination that are behind his successful formula. But there’s another piece to the puzzle.
In addition to his business achievements,  Nielson is actively involved in the St. George area community, which goes well beyond attracting customers. Anyone who knows the family is aware that giving back, supporting others, and backing other private enterprise efforts has and continues to be just part of how the Nielsons do business.
So, it’s not surprising that Scott and Kristin Nielson have embraced another unique and beneficial local project, sharing the same philosophy.
The first gift was donated approximately three years ago, prior to the Nielson’s moving their family to Maui. Scott met Dr. Provost, known for many of his inventions, including the re-sealable box top you’ll find on most food items in a grocery store. Dr. Provost is also known for his advancements and many patents in the medical field. Upon announcing the sale of his Nielson RV Inc. to Marcus Lemonis of Camping World, the Nielsons gifted Dixie State University’s Atwood Innovation Plaza with a substantial contribution in early March of this year. Dr. Provost said, “It’s all about helping kids and protecting their idea, so they have a chance to make it a success.” 

Atwood Innovation Plaza
The backstory of the Nielson family donation is particularly impactful. But before we get there, we want to share a bit about Atwood Innovation Plaza should you be new to the concept.
While the name Innovation Plaza is enough to turn heads, the business model merits attention. It really is all in the title, though, as innovation is in the driver’s seat.

Founders in front of Eden, the desalination machine

Pandemic Assistance
Innovators that emerged from the Plaza moved at a lightning pace during the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple solutions to rapidly emerging problems.
Soft Cell Biological Research is part of the Innovation Plaza family and developed a fast and affordable COVID-19 saliva testing system with 24-hour results.
Healthcare facilities in Southern Utah also took advantage of ventilator splitters. The splitters allowed multiple patients to share a single ventilator and were produced through Innovation Plaza’s 3D printing equipment.
The Road to Success and Donation to Innovation Plaza
We hinted at more behind the Nielson donation, as the financial gift was possible through entrepreneurial vision and persistence.
Nielson RV
Over the years, Scott Nielson has been involved in various business endeavors, starting with RV sales back in 1997. At the time, Scott was selling them out of Bob’s Enterprise’s in Hurricane, Utah, a small dilapidated building, before partnering with his brother Mike to launch their first Nielson RV location.  
Nielson RV expanded with showrooms in Hurricane, Salt Lake City, and the coveted I-15 corridor in St. George. The chain quickly became the number one RV dealership in Southern Utah and one of the industry leaders in the nation, a feat that didn’t go unnoticed.
Camping World
In March of 2021, Scott Nielson announced the unexpected sale of Nielson RV to the US retail giant Camping World. Before the deal was signed, sealed, and delivered, it prompted a 10% surge in Camping World Holdings, Inc. stock market trades.  
Instead of just resting on their laurels with the successful Camping World negotiations, Scott and Kristin Nielson focused on giving back. Their donation to Innovation Plaza resulted from that deal and demonstrates to business owners and product developers what’s possible. The first of several donations occurred in August 2018′ and most recently on March 2, 2021.  
Paying it Forward
While Mr. Nielson successfully built his brand without the support of Innovative Plaza, his donation will make things easier for today’s aspiring entrepreneurs.   
Scott Nielson shared, “We believe that the education system is flawed and students are not necessarily taught the real world inside the classroom. Innovation Plaza allows the student to bring their ideas to fruition from a thought to a reality. The Atwood Innovation Plaza helps students set up companies and create their ideas through innovative workshops, CNC machines, 3D imaging and creation, and so much more. I wish Innovation Plaza existed when I attended DSU as a youth.”  I would encourage anyone  interested in engineering, innovation, invention, and business to seek out Innovation plaza.”
More Than Financial Benefit to Innovation Plaza
The donation by the Nielson family will undoubtedly assist in the day-to-day operations of Atwood Innovation Plaza. However, their contribution extends beyond monetary.
Colby Jenkins, Director of the Atwood Innovation Plaza, stated, “Scott and Kristin Nielson’s generosity represents exactly what makes the Innovation Plaza special. They are not only giving back to the Plaza and University by extension; they remain engaged, sharing ideas, offering mentorship, and seeking more ways to help. Their example to other entrepreneurs working in the Plaza inspires hope and a drive to continue working hard. Scott and Kristin truly let their actions speak louder than any words. We are grateful to have their support.”
About Innovation Plaza
Innovation Plaza focuses on bringing people, places, and things together for successful product and service launches or expansion. It’s a supportive space for students and the St. George community.
Visit DSU’s website for more on Innovation Plaza.
Innovation Plaza – 453 S 600 E Street, St. George, UT 84770

Innovation Plaza is for Everyone
Atwood Innovation Plaza is part of Dixie State University (DSU), but it’s not limited to students. It’s also a hands-on gathering place for members of the community and aspiring business owners.
Innovations of the World refers to Innovation Plaza as a “Premier Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center for Southern Utah.” Others refer to it as a shared workspace. But neither is enough to fully capture the essence of what DSU is attempting to do for its students and the community.
The 55,000 Square Foot Campus
Yes, anyone can rent private offices, open areas, or podcast rooms. But Atwood Innovation Plaza houses four primary services:
⦁ Business Research Center sponsored by Zions Bank – planning and preparation, business consultations
⦁ Makerspace – create prototypes, attend workshops
⦁ Research and Guidance – protecting your concept with patents, trademarks, copyrights
⦁ Startup Incubator – beyond the basics with in-depth research on market size, customer focus, etc.
Innovation Plaza Success Stories
While Innovation Plaza has only been around for a few years, its influence is already quantifiable.
Stamping Out Water Scarcity
Along with Co-Founder Zack Manweiler, Hunter Manz, a DSU student and Founder/CEO of Eden Technologies, secured $100,000 in funding for their Innovation-innovation. The project is designed to remove salt from ocean water for clean drinking water.  Scott Nielson, along with Colby Jenkins, the institution director, met with the two young entrepreneurs where they both displayed the functioning prototype.
Colby Jenkins showed a picture where the young men met with a top government official of Sadia Arabia, who made a special trip to meet the innovators and see the prototype in action. Currently, the desalination machine is being tested for 6 months before a potential contract with the country. Nielson’s pledged a commitment to the Eden project earlier Wednesday to help spur the project along.