Caitlyn Thomas
Mid-Plains Community College broke ground on its new $3.7 million electrical technology building Wednesday before the Board of Governors monthly meeting.
The new building will be located just to the west of the W.W. Wood Building on the North Platte Community College North Campus. It is the first new building on the North Campus in 30 years.
Members of the MPCC Board, instructors, donors and many others gathered at 4:30 p.m. to the plot of land that will soon be home to the new building, which MPCC President Ryan Purdy said "has been several years in the making, and long overdue."
"Our electrical program has consistently been the most sought-after program on this campus," he said in his speech.
Purdy said the building was needed due to the growing number of students enrolling.
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"Electrical technology has been full for 10-plus years now," he said. "So if you're not registered as soon as it opens in the spring, most of the time you're going to be waitlisted come fall."
The new facility also allows NPCC to expand in three ways, Purdy said, "electrical technology, electrical automation and high school partnerships."
"We're excited to see the ground turn, see this facility go up over the spring, and can't wait to do the ribbon cutting in the fall," Purdy said.
Following the groundbreaking, the Board of Governors met for their work session at 5:30 p.m. and then for their regular meeting an hour later.
Members of the board approved the 2025-26 tuition and fees as well as housing and meal rates. Tuition and rates will see a 3.3% increase. Housing and meal rates will see a 3.7%-4% raise depending on location and chosen meal plan.
The board also reviewed the MPCC's annual audit, which Purdy said was a "clean audit" with an "unmodified opinion."
In other business, the board:
Approved moving the Jan. 15 meeting of the board to MCC's East Campus to coincide with the ribbon cutting of McCook's East Campus.Approved the 2025 Nebraska Community College Association dues for just over $77,000.Approved a bid for MCC's East Campus technology package for $88,730. Vice President of Administrative Services Michael Steele said the original bid came in at $616,000.Approved a bid of just over $52,700 for MCC's East Campus televisions.Approved a $65,000 bid for brick removal and replacement for a brick structure to the west of the W.W. Wood Building that houses the campus' transformer and gas line. Purdy said it is "in desperate need of being removed, restructured and secured."Approved a three-year Insurance Trust renewal, effective on July 1 and continuing through June 30, 2028.Approved a bid for the NPCC North Campus fuel pump and underground tank replacement in the amount of just over $333,500.Approved a bid of just under $158,150 for an advanced, interdisciplinary patient simulator for the college's nursing program. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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