MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Northern Michigan University is one step closer to building a new multi-million dollar facility on campus.
Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the supplemental appropriations bill, which will give NMU $13.4 million to go towards its $19.1 million Northern Enterprise Center.
The new building will be attached to the C.B. Hedgcock building and is part of the University’s Campus Master Plan. School leaders say it will give students updated classrooms and new office space for economic and community development around the Upper Peninsula.
“We hope to have some retail space so our entrepreneurs can sell whatever it is that they happen to be creating, we’re gonna make it inviting for the community so that business people can turn to us, ask us for some help kind of use our students for internships, we’re looking forward to it,” commented College of Business Department Head Carol Johnson.
The new facility will also link to the academic hall, giving students a way to travel between classes indoors through the winter.
The addition is still in the development stage and the University does not have a timeline for when they expect construction to begin.