Charles City, Iowa – In a momentous occasion that marks a significant step toward advancing education and career prospects in Charles City and the surrounding region, North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) celebrated the groundbreaking of its state-of-the-art Career Center on Friday.
The event, attended by local officials, NIACC staff, contractors and community members, featured speeches and a groundbreaking ceremony. The new Career Center, slated for completion in 2024, promises to be a transformative addition to the community, enhancing opportunities for skill development and workforce preparation.
For nearly fifty years there North Iowa Area Community College has had a permanent location in Charles City.
NIACC Charles City Center first opened in 1975 in a rental space on Main Street and moved to its current downtown location in 1988 at 203 Brantingham St.
The new 9500 square foot addition to the Career Center is designed to provide local high school students with hands-on experience and college-level education in high-demand career fields including health care, advanced manufacturing, building trades, and information technology.
The courses will be tuition-free for students in the Charles City, Nashua- Plainfield, North Butler, Osage, Riceville, and RRMR school districts.
As construction begins, anticipation is running high for the NIACC Career Center, which is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the educational and economic future of Charles City and the broader region. It stands as a testament to the commitment of NIACC and its partners to empower individuals with the tools they need to thrive in the evolving job market.
Woodruff Construction LLC of Waterloo submitted the winning bid of $4.7 million.