KSHB 41 reporter Marlon Martinez covers Platte and Clay counties in Missouri. Share your story idea with Marlon.
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Kansas City has committed $25 million to help fund the Northland Workforce Development Center, a new state-of-the-art facility that will serve as a hub for student and adult learners.
The Northland Career Center currently serves students from seven school districts, offering programs in health sciences, construction technology, culinary arts, IT, welding and more.
Executive Director Jeff Green has seen the program work. He graduated from a career and technical program and now leads the center.
“I've been here 10 years and love what I do every single day. Love how I help the kids," Green said. "It's just special because what we're doing is different."
Since 1980, the NCC has been training and helping students gain workforce experience.
“That's why I get out of bed every day, is because it's, we're trying to get them to figure that (a job) out," he said.
For the last few years, leaders have been looking at ways to expand their services. Platte County R-3 Schools Superintendent Dr. Jay Harris said it's been a need for the facility and those it serves.
“We had a vision of expanding that, right now, with a plan, we can, with this additional revenue that we're able to achieve, we're going to be able to double the enrollment potential. We're going to be able to expand to another 12 to 13 programs," Harris said.
Thanks to funding from the state of Missouri, private funding and Kansas City's major commitment, plans for a new facility will happen.
"This was a huge announcement that we heard from the city of Kansas City, and so in large part, a big thank you to Councilman Nathan Willett, who really carried this forward," Harris said. "Thank you to the entire city council. Thank you to Mayor Lucas. Their support really is an investment in [the] workforce."
The new facility will be located on Platte Purchase Drive next to Platte Purchase Middle School.
It will be 145,000 square feet and have space for over 900 students from several districts throughout the Kansas City area.
“It's an investment in the city of Kansas City, it's an investment in the Northland and we're super excited to be partners in that effort," Harris said.
Willett was key in acquiring the funds. He sent a statement to KSHB 41.
"The new center will train and inspire our future first responders, welders, electricians, nurses, and other professionals to meet the workforce needs of our region. I’m particularly excited for the enhanced first responder program that will train our future law enforcement, firefighters, & EMT personnel. Thank you to Governor Mike Kehoe, the local state delegation — especially Senator Tony Luetkemeyer, and my council colleagues for supporting this project.”
The $74 million needed to fund the new facility has not been secured, but with the amount given by the state and city, this gives the center the green light to begin construction.
Leaders of the project hope the new facility opens by 2027.
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