TRAVERSE CITY — Northwestern Michigan College is being recognized as a key player in the state’s first-ever maritime strategy, putting Traverse City at the center of future jobs and innovation.
Michigan is known around the world for building cars. Now the state is setting its sights on the water and Northern Michigan is playing a major role,” said NMC vice president of strategic initiatives Jason Slade.
“We’re one of the few states that have this much access to water. We also have a really strong industry base. So, we have a manufacturing community, a tech community that’s well known throughout the world.”
NMC is one of just two community colleges named in Michigan’s new maritime strategy, a plan announced in January by governor Gretchen Whitmer. The goal is to grow jobs, innovation and the economy tied to the great lakes and maritime industries.“
“Northwestern Michigan College was one of only two community colleges listed in the strategy report and a lot of it has to do with our unique program,” said Slade. “We have one of only six maritime academies in the country.”
NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy trains future ship captains, vessel engineers and marine technicians. They also prepare students for emerging careers in underwater robotics and hydrographic surveying at their great lakes water studies institute.
“We also have a four year bachelor’s degree in great lakes water studies called marine technology, and that degree is one of the only ones in the state of Michigan,” said Slade.
NMC is helping bring the freshwater research and innovation center to Traverse City — designed to attract start-ups and test new water-based technology right here in our area.
“As we bring startups and companies to the region, have them test their product here in Traverse City, working with our students and our workforce so that they can eventually get jobs there,” said Slade.