NCMC to celebrate first phase completion of $22 million CATEE project

Editor's Note: The online version of this article has been updated with information about the opening ceremony on Oct. 7.

PETOSKEY — North Central Michigan College is getting ready to bring phase one of its $22 million Career and Technical Education Enhancement (CATEE) project to a close.

NCMC President David Finley told the News-Review that the smaller first phase addresses the need for high fidelity simulations for the students in the Licensed Practical Nursing program, with a $1 million renovation to the Health Education Science Center.

In January, the second phase of the project will kick off by knocking down the existing 59-year-old technology building on campus to make room for the new Technology Center.

In its place, an 11,500 square-foot worth of flexible learning spaces will be built. Spaces will hold state-of-the-art machinery upgrades in the areas of robotics, engineering, automotive diagnostics and repair, CAD and CNC machining, mechatronics, welding and construction.

The project will begin in early 2025 with plans to have it wrapped up in August 2026, allowing it to be used in the fall semester.

"The existing building is old, tired, too small, just doesn't really meet the need of what we're doing today with that space," Finley said. "We're going to build something that's truly outstanding."

More: NCMC to begin renovation project as part of $20 million initiative

More: NCMC project included in $1.3 billion supplemental appropriations bill

To celebrate the progress in the project, NCMC will be hosting two different events: CATEE Hard Hat tours and an opening ceremony.

At 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, people will be able to catch a presentation about the CATEE project followed by tours of the construction site, followed by brunch. Attendance is free but space is limited, so people are encouraged to RSVP at bit.ly/CATEE-Brunch .

Finley said people will get to have a first look at the mock hospital rooms, the tech simulators and more.

He said the students' access to the medical procedures have helped contribute to the success nursing students have found, including two perfect pass rates on registered nursing exams in the last four years.

The college will also be hosting an opening ceremony at 2 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the Harris Gardens between the Technology Building and Health Education Science Center.

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"It's a very different and meaningful way to view the world, not the traditional break the ground, stick a shovel into it or a backhoe, but really respectfully ask for permission from Mother Earth, or blessings on this project that is meant to do good for all the peoples that live in Northern Michigan," Finley said. "I think it's beneficial for the campus community, students in particular, to see how different people view the world, and this is a way to celebrate together."

The ceremony will be led by Fred Harrington, a retired NCMC professor and a tribal elder from the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

The CATEE project is expected to help the college address workforce needs throughout the community.

"It's just outstanding. Whether we're talking about an electrician, whether we're talking about a medical assistant ... playing a role in making those careers possible is just phenomenal," Finley said. "It's wakes me up in the morning every day. We're building career ladders."

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN .

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: NCMC to celebrate first phase completion of $22 million CATEE project