North Central Michigan College invites the community to a groundbreaking ceremony for Phase II of its Career and Technical Education Enhancement (CATEE) project on Monday, February 3, at 2 p.m. The event will be held in the Borra Learning Center Student Commons on NCMC’s Petoskey campus.

The $22 million CATEE initiative marks a transformative step toward advancing workforce education in Northern Michigan. Phase II includes the expansion and renovation of the Jack and Dorothy Harris Health Education and Science Center and the creation of the Martin Jahn Technology Center. Together, these facilities will provide cutting-edge learning environments for students pursuing careers in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.

The lead gift for the Martin Jahn Technology Center was provided by the Martin and Patricia Jahn Foundation. The Jahns’ contribution underscores the family’s belief in the power of education to equip students with the tools they need for career success.

“The Jahns’ gift and the support of our other generous donors is a testament to the belief that education transforms lives and communities,” said Chelsea Platte, vice president for advancement and executive director of the NCMC Foundation. “Their generosity will leave an indelible mark, providing students with the resources they need to achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to our region.”

The February 3 groundbreaking will commemorate the Jahn family’s gift and highlight other CATEE investments to both the Technology Center and the Health Education and Science Center, including the support of state Sen. John Damoose, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, and donors including the Borra Family Foundation, the Terence and Jennifer Adderley Foundation, Balky and Patti Grannis, the Kroeger-Mainland Family Fund, Fred and Barb Malpass, Bruce and Linda Riley, Neil and Marsha Bidwell, Dan and Jeannean VerBurg, Dave and Debbie Kring, and Dave Kring Chevrolet.

Thanks to generous community support, the NCMC Foundation recently announced that it has surpassed 95% of its $3 million fundraising goal for the project.

As the NCMC Foundation nears completion of its fundraising goal, the Hickey-Kiersey Family Philanthropic Foundation has provided a $100,000 challenge gift to inspire others to support the project.

“We are grateful for this inspirational gift from the Hickey-Kiersey Family Foundation,” Platte said. “We are so close to reaching our goal, and we are hopeful that with this generous challenge gift that others will join the Hickey-Kiersey Family in making a difference in the lives of our local learners.”

NCMC President David Roland Finley said the groundbreaking represents the next chapter in the college’s steadfast commitment to workforce education.

“The groundbreaking celebration is our opportunity to recognize the investments that made our CATEE project possible — gifts with impact that will be felt throughout Northern Michigan for generations,” Finley said.

Sen. John Damoose emphasized the project’s importance to the region’s economic future.

“We are working to build a year-round economy in Northern Michigan so our kids can find meaningful work here at home,” Damoose said. “To do that, we need opportunities for advanced trades training that will define the careers of tomorrow. North Central Michigan College is perfectly positioned to help usher in this new economy with world-class educational opportunities. That’s why securing state funding for the CATEE Project was so important.”

Slated for completion in Fall 2026, the CATEE project includes:

  • Renovating and expanding the Health Education and Science Center to a total of 15,775 square feet, with additional classrooms, clinical spaces, simulation labs, and resources to support the growth of the college’s nursing and allied health programs.
  • Razing the 59-year-old Technology Building and replacing it with the new 11,750-square-foot Martin Jahn Technology Center, a flexible, state-of-the-art learning space dedicated to technology and skilled trades education.

The February 3 event will feature brief remarks, light refreshments, and the ceremonial groundbreaking. Attendees can enjoy the event from the comfort of the Borra Learning Center’s Student Commons. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://bit.ly/CATEE-groundbreaking.

North Central’s CATEE Project underscores the college’s dedication to workforce development and strengthening Northern Michigan’s economy. For updates on the project’s progress and campus operations during construction, visit the CATEE Project webpage.