Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) is targeting a 2018 groundbreaking on a new $14 million-plus 21st Century Innovation Center after the Michigan Senate approved funding for the project in the state's 2018 budget, which was passed by legislators Thursday. The budget now goes to Governor Rick Snyder for his signature.

The state and NMC will split project costs for the center, each paying more than seven million dollars toward its completion. State funding will pay for "important renovations and modernizations of the 50-year-old West Hall," while NMC funding will pay "for a new multi-story library and learning space," according to the college. The new center will encompass an approximately 54,000 square-foot facility incorporating "innovative and transformative learning environments, a new library and multiple academic and simulation spaces."

NMC had sought state funding for the new center for several years but repeatedly saw the request rejected or delayed. Since 2005, NMC has ranked 23rd out of 28 community colleges for capital outlay appropriations, receiving just $650,000 in state investment. "Over the last six years, we have invested significant time and effort in requesting funding for this project," says NMC President Tim Nelson. "We are pleased our legislators have recognized our dedication and commitment and are helping to make this investment a reality, for our learners now and into the future.”

“Among my top priorities as a Member of the Michigan House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee and vice-chair of the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee on Appropriations was to fight for this capital outlay funding for Northwestern Michigan College,” State Representative Larry Inman (R-104th) said in a statement. “I am so pleased as a past NMC Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, along with Senator (Wayne) Schmidt and Senator (Darwin) Booher, that we were able to bring this project across the finish line, among the many other capital outlay projects that were considered."

Schmidt said the project would "not only benefit learners in my community, but will also support innovative spaces for learners from around the state," while Booher said it will help "continue to make NMC a leader in higher education in our region."

The center's design was influenced by input from faculty and staff, who contributed 270 comments during a campus-wide opening conference and participated in 17 user group workshops led by architectural firm Stantec.