Funding the future
Money for new MTU center included in state budget
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HOUGHTON -- Michigan Technological University has learned that funding for its Center for Convergence and Innovation (CCI) was included in the State of Michigan's fiscal year 2026-2027 education budget signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday. State Representative Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) said in a press release he helped secure $30 million in funding for Tech's new building.
“Investing in Michigan Tech is an investment in the future of the Upper Peninsula,” Markkanen said. “This project will help prepare students for the careers of tomorrow, support groundbreaking research, and strengthen our regional economy. It ensures Michigan Tech can continue producing the skilled workforce our state needs while creating lasting benefits for surrounding communities.”
Whitmer's eighth and final education budget totaled $22.9 billion in funding. For higher education, it included $2.2 billion to sustain university and community college operations.
The $30 million towards Michigan Tech's CCI marks a key investment into the university's capital outlay and the beginning of its new master plan. According to Tech's 2022 campus master plan the former site of Hamar House will be home to the CCI.
The CCI will house both the College of Computing as well as the College of Business in accordance with the mission of preparing Tech students to thrive in a competitive contemporary, digital job market.
Michigan Tech Vice President for Governmental Relations William Kordenbrock thanked Markkanen for his help in securing funding for Tech's future. “We appreciate Rep. Markkanen’s leadership on Michigan’s higher education budget, and would like to thank him, his colleagues in the legislature, the Upper Peninsula delegation and Gov. Whitmer for supporting capital outlay this year,” Kordenbrock said. “We’re grateful for the State’s investment in our students with this approval to begin planning on the next step of our campus master plan."
According to Michigan Tech, there is no current timeline for the construction of the CCI.