MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – In 2021 NMU was awarded $28 million from the state to make much needed upgrades to the Jacobetti complex.
“It’s gonna bring us into the 21st century and beyond,” remarked Steve VandenAvond, the Dean of NMU’s College of Technology and Occupational Sciences.
The complex houses Northerns College of Technology and Occupational Sciences. Programs taught in the building include welding and construction management. According to VandenAvond the programs provide the talent in those fields to the region.
Upgrades include not only giving the interior and exterior of the jacobetti center a face lift, but also providing all new equipment to the programs. Almost every program in the facility will be receiving new equipment for students to learn.
Most of the facilities in Jacobetti were designed and built in the 1970s and 80s, they were state of the art back then, but haven’t gone under any major renovations since.
“We’re using all of the best practices that allow students to use all the best equipment to get hands-on experience that translates perfectly to the work world,” said VandenAvond.
The updated Jacobetti center will also feature an expo hall, which will be flexible to allow for any type of show, job fair, or exhibition. VandenAvond says the building will be unrecognizable after all of the upgrades are complete.
Renovations to the Jacobetti are scheduled to finish up late this summer.
