NCTC nears completion of expanded aerospace facility

BY KAYLA PRASEK

A $4.7 million remodeling project is nearing completion at Northland Community & Technical College’s Aerospace Site.

The project, which will act as a link between an existing hangar and existing classroom space, broke ground in May 2015 and is expected to be complete this summer. The facility, designed by Foss Architecture and Interiors of Fargo, N.D., will include two multipurpose hangars, a stateof-the-art composite lab and two classrooms. Construction is being led by Terra General Contractors of Rogers, Minn.

“Above all else, this increases our ability to expand our traditional programming to include the newest technology,” says Curtis Zoller, associate dean of aerospace programs. “Over the last five years, Northland has invested money in new technology for our aerospace programs, and this facility was designed to help expand those programs.”

The Aerospace Site expansion has been in the works for five years, says Jim Retka, dean of workforce and economic development. After the

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system determined the old facilities were unusable, NCTC started looking for funding and working on the design for the new facility, Retka says.

“As our programs have expanded and evolved, we needed the educational spaces to keep pace with these programs and have the updated space to match the technology,” Retka says. “This building project is part of the way we contribute educationally to all of the institutions in the region working together to contribute to the emerging (UAS) industry.”

NCTC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology, Unmanned Aerial Systems Maintenance Technician, Geospatial Intelligence Analysis and Imagery Analysis programs are all located at the Aerospace Site in Thief River Falls, Minn. PB

Kayla Prasek Staff Writer, Prairie Business 701.780.1187