TRAVERSE CITY -- The Northerwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees voted to purchase a building and property that will allow the college to expand its Aero Park Campus.

Ben Lamb, a NMC student says “Last year it wasn’t as crowded. This year I’ve noticed some of my classes are fuller.”

Students are seeing changes around campus.

Kevin Copeland, a NMC student says "Can be chaotic. Gets a little bit louder."

This semester NMC recorded the largest enrollment number in the history of the college. More than 5,000 students are filling classrooms; especially at the technology center where they’ve added programs like renewable energy and construction technology.

NMC Vice President Marguerite Cotto says "We want our students to be a little ahead of the labor market as the states economy changes."

When the construction program first started in 2001, there were only 27 students enrolled. Now more than 250 are in the program. The program is so full that storage spaces have been used as classrooms.

This fall students and professors will receive a little bit of breathing room. NMC is buying the former ACRA Inc., for $1,150,000. The school will spend another $800,000 to renovate the building adding classrooms and labs.  

Cotto says "It used to be a manufacturing plant. Its going to suit very well the type of work we need to do."

Automotive Technology expects to add a hybrid vehicle lab now that it’s Shipping and Receiving Department will move into the new building.