Community invited to join hard hat tours and opening ceremony as college expands healthcare, technology, and skilled trades programs

North Central Michigan College will host two special events in October to celebrate progress on its $22 million Career and Technical Education Enhancement project (CATEE), which launched in June 2024. The project, which will significantly expand NCMC’s healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades programs, focuses on updates to the college’s Health Education and Science Center (HESC) and the development of a state-of-the-art Technology Center.

The first event, CATEE Hard Hat Tours, will take place on Friday, October 4, at 9:30 a.m. in the lobby of the HESC. The event will include a brief presentation on the impact of the CATEE project, followed by tours of the construction site. Brunch will be provided. Attendance is free, but space is limited. Community members are encouraged to RSVP online at https://bit.ly/CATEE-Brunch.

Chelsea Platte, vice president for advancement and executive director of the NCMC Foundation, said she is looking forward to sharing the project’s progress with community members.

“The hard hat tours will be a great opportunity for the public to see firsthand how the CATEE project will transform our campus and enhance our ability to provide cutting-edge education in key industries like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades,” Platte said. “We’re excited to share this progress and engage with the community as we work together to meet the growing needs of Northern Michigan’s workforce.”

The second event, a CATEE Opening Ceremony, will be held on Monday, October 7, at 2 p.m. in the Harris Gardens, between the Technology Building and the HESC. NCMC will partner with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians to host this special ceremony as the college prepares to begin Phase II of the CATEE project. Fred Harrington, retired NCMC professor and tribal elder, will lead the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served, and a formal groundbreaking ceremony is planned for January 2025.

NCMC President David Roland Finley emphasized the importance of the opening ceremony and its significance for both the college and the broader community.

“This will be the first time in our college’s history that we hold an opening ceremony before a groundbreaking,” Finley said. “It’s a meaningful way to honor our region’s heritage and the significance of this project. We are grateful that the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians have graciously agreed to lead this ceremony.”

LTBB Tribal Chairperson Regina Gasco highlighted the deep cultural significance of the ceremony and the importance of honoring the land.

“This ceremony is a powerful way to recognize the sacred connection we have with the land and our shared responsibility to honor and protect it,” Gasco said. “We are proud to partner with North Central Michigan College in celebrating this space for future generations who will learn and grow here.”

North Central’s CATEE project includes the razing of the college’s 59-year-old Technology Building, transforming it into a Technology Center with 11,500 square feet of flexible learning space. The accompanying expansion of the college’s HESC will create an additional 7,200 square feet of classroom, clinical, simulation, and lab spaces to accommodate the college’s growing nursing and allied health programs. The anticipated project completion is set for Fall 2026, in time for the new academic year.

Cornerstone Architects, which has offices in Grand Rapids and Traverse City, is providing design and architectural services, while Lansing-based Clark Construction Company will oversee the buildings’ construction. The companies were awarded the project following a competitive bid process and approval by North Central’s Board of Trustees.

For additional CATEE information, including updates about campus operations during construction, visit the college's CATEE webpage.