I have some good news to share about funding for the college, and it’s the result of a lot of careful work behind the scenes over the past couple of years.
Over that time, we took a close look at whether Northwestern Michigan College qualified for the federal Employee Retention Credit, a relief program tied to organizations that kept employees on payroll during the very disruptive time of the COVID pandemic. Based on our financials in 2021, we did qualify, and we completed the detailed process required to claim the credit, filing our request in early 2024.
I’m pleased to share that we have now secured approximately $9 million in ERC funds, including interest.
This did not happen automatically. It required detailed financial analysis, persistence, and follow-through over an extended period of time. I want to recognize former trustee Chris Bott for encouraging us to take a closer look at our eligibility, and Vice President of Finance & Administration Troy Kierczynski for leading the work to see it through. We also appreciated the assistance from Congressman Bergman’s office along the way.
Just as importantly, this reflects how this college showed up during the pandemic. We made a deliberate decision to retain our full-time employees and continue serving students. That took commitment across the college, and it is part of what made this credit possible. Thank you for that.
These funds will help us move forward on priorities already identified through our strategic plan and campus master plan, including student-facing spaces, campus infrastructure, and long-term improvements that support our mission. At the same time, they represent one part of a much larger financial picture, and the work in front of us remains significant.
This is also a reminder that business as usual is not enough. We have to keep looking for opportunities, doing the work to pursue them, and following through when they align with our mission. That is what revenue diversification looks like in practice, and it takes effort across the institution to make it happen.
The process itself took time, and there was uncertainty around timing and final approval. We made a deliberate decision to wait to communicate broadly until funds were received and confirmed, so that we could share clear and accurate information.
We will continue to be thoughtful in how these funds are used and ensure they are aligned with the priorities we have already set together. I must emphasize, such one-time funds will not be used to support annual operating budget needs. But, they can and will be used to support construction/capital budget needs.
I’m grateful for the work happening across this college every day. This is a good example of how steady, disciplined effort over time can create real opportunity for our students and our community.
Nick
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