WEXFORD COUNTY — The Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District, in partnership with Heritage Broadcasting, is proud to announce a purchase agreement for the Cadillac 9&10 News building, marking a major step forward in meeting the district’s current space needs and expansion goals.
The 22,000-square-foot facility, home to Heritage Broadcasting since 2018, represents a cost-effective solution to support the district’s long-term vision, according to WMISD.
With a purchase price of $2.35 million, the building is equipped with more than $1.5 million in recent renovations, including infrastructure improvements, updated furnishings and a full outfitted professional studio.
The facility includes a backup generator and presents opportunities for growth and even to potentially lease unused space to community or agency partners.
“This opportunity was not something we anticipated, but after evaluating the space needs of every department and considering the longterm benefits, it became clear this is a strategic investment worth pursuing,” WMISD Superintendent Dave Cox said.
The acquisition allows WMISD to reconfigure and optimize its current campus by freeing up high-demand space for student-centered services:
• Adding additional special services classrooms by converting the business office area in the special services building into special education center-based classrooms;
• Repurpose Educational Technology Association space in the general education building for instructional/classroom/programing/staffing use;
• Relocate the second-year Digital Media Production program from the Career Tech Center, opening additional classrooms in CTC for expanding or new innovating programs.
“I am so glad we have found a buyer that will reap the benefits of a world-class facility for teaching, collaborating and growing in the backyard of NanBop Farm,” 910 Media Group CEO/President Pete Iacobelli said. “I am greatly appreciative for the opportunities this provides our communities for informing, educating and entertaining our most valuable assets of Northern Michigan—the people. The synergistic opportunities between ISD, NanBop Farm and 910 Media Group are endless.”
9&10 News will maintain a presence with employees and another building in Cadillac while its headquarters and new studio will be in its Traverse City office.
WMISD partnered with Kingscott, an architectural and engineering firm specializing in educational design, to address a pressing need: creating additional classroom space to serve more students.
After an extensive evaluation of options, WMISD determined that relocating the business office would allow for the conversion of that space into much-needed classrooms—spaces that local districts are unable to provide.
New construction on campus was considered, but available land is limited due to existing infrastructure, including parking lots, septic systems, drain fields, playgrounds and terrain challenges. The only buildable location was identified, but constructing an 8,500-square-foot facility would cost more than purchasing the building at 1 Broadcast Way.
“Although the facility is located off our main campus, the advantages of ownership, including long-term cost savings, expanded flexibility and growth potential, make it an ideal solution for WMISD’s strategic priorities,” WMISD Board President Ken Bollman said.
The strategic investment is rooted in expanding access to space for learning environments for students throughout the WMISD service area.
“Relocating to this building will be an excellent opportunity for our students,” Digital Media Productions instructor Kammy Cook said.
“This milestone reflects WMISD’s continued commitment to meeting the evolving needs of students, staff and programs across the ISD service area,” Cox said.