MARQUETTE, MI-- Northern Michigan University officials have issued the following press release:
Northern Michigan University’s capital outlay proposal for a major career-technical and engineering technology facility renovation was included in the supplemental appropriations bill approved by the full House and Senate today (Dec. 21).
The bill is now headed to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.
The estimated $28.6 million transformational renovation of Northern’s current CTE facility, the Jacobetti Complex, and possible addition of new space intends to create the model career-technical educational environment. It will include a manufacturing design center and flexible laboratories for skilled trades learning, as well as for business-industry product and equipment testing and training.
“This is a very positive sign from the Michigan Legislature that it shares Northern’s vision for a vibrant, high-tech teaching facility. This project will enhance how students are learning and expand our engineering technology program in new and exciting ways. It will also help us continue to develop meaningful partnerships with U.P. business and industry,” said NMU President Fritz Erickson.
Erickson said Snyder, who has met on campus several times with NMU CTE program students and instructors, has demonstrated strong support for career-technical and engineering technology education in the state. On visits to NMU, Snyder has iterated the state’s need for skilled trade and engineering professionals to fill Michigan’s talent gap and his desire to make the state a national leader in developing talent to support growing and innovative industries.
Erickson said Sen, Darwin Booher, chair of the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee (JCOS), who like Snyder has visited Northern’s campus to tour the current CTE facilities, and Rep. Larry Inman, a former NMU trustee and current JCOS member, have shown strong support for Northern’s proposed mixed university and business-industry use of the renovated facility.
“We feel the governor and Michigan Legislature believe in the important role our career tech and engineering technology facility plays in the Upper Peninsula,” said Erickson. “This project will use next-generation equipment and technology, such as virtual reality training gear and simulations, to prepare the best industrial, engineering and service-related workforce to meet the Upper Peninsula’s and State of Michigan’s high-demand talent needs.”
Erickson also said that getting the project to this point in the funding process was a joint effort with U.P. legislators and business-industry leaders.
“We are grateful for the dedicated support shown by our Upper Michigan legislators and several business and industry leaders. In particular, the strong leadership shown by Sen. Tom Casperson, combined with Rep. Beau LaFave’s work in the House, were instrumental in this process, along with Representatives Sara Cambensy and Scott Dianda.”
Northern’s project was one of 10 [and one of two in the U.P.] on the list of community college and university projects selected by JCOS for funding.
