City of Kansas City Commits $25 Million to New Northland Workforce Development Center
PCR-3 and NCC One Step Closer to Transforming Career and Technical Education in the Region
Platte County School District is proud to share that the City of Kansas City has committed $25 million to support the development of the Northland Workforce Development Center (NWDC)—a major milestone in the journey to expand and modernize career and technical education opportunities for students in the Northland and beyond.
The announcement, made on April 17, moves the $74 million project significantly closer to becoming a reality. The new facility will replace the aging and at-capacity Northland Career Center (NCC) building in Platte City and will serve both high school students and adult learners in Platte and Clay Counties. The project is led by the Northland Workforce Development Center Corporation, a nonprofit established in 2023 to guide and support this initiative.
With the City’s latest investment, more than $68.2 million has now been secured for the project, including a $37 million commitment from the State of Missouri.
“This center will allow us to better serve students and employers across our region,” said Brian Noller, PCR-3 Director of Business Services and Northland Career Center Campaign Lead. “We’re grateful to the City of Kansas City, our state partners, and our local leaders for believing in this vision and helping move it forward.”
Since 2021, PCR-3 and NCC have worked with strategic partners to design a modern workforce training facility capable of addressing the region’s growing demand for skilled workers. The original NCC campus, built in 1979, has been stretched beyond its capacity for years, turning away hundreds of qualified students annually due to space limitations. This new center will help meet workforce needs in high-demand industries such as healthcare, construction, logistics, protective services, and advanced manufacturing.
Kansas City’s funding ordinance—championed by Councilmember Nathan Willett and co-sponsored by Mayor Quinton Lucas and multiple Councilmembers—allocates $25 million in taxable special obligation bonds, funded through new development near the future site of the center. The agreement also includes several community-focused benefits, including:
- Free facility use for community events and job fairs
- Discounted tuition rates for City employees
- No ongoing financial or operational obligations for the City
- Exploration of future satellite sites to reduce transportation barriers for students
“This is more than a building—it’s about opportunity,” said Councilmember Willett. “We’re investing in the future nurses, electricians, firefighters, and technicians that will drive Kansas City’s economy forward.”
As a proud partner and the host district for NCC, Platte County School District is committed to supporting the success of this project and ensuring that our students—and students across the Northland—have access to state-of-the-art career training.
“This is a once-in-a-generation investment in workforce education,” said Dr. Jay Harris, Superintendent of Platte County School District. “We’re thankful for the support from the City, the State, and our many regional partners. Together, we are creating a stronger future for our students and community.”
Construction on the new facility is expected to begin soon with a groundbreaking planned for this summer, and additional fundraising efforts continuing.
For more information about the project or to learn how you can support the campaign, visit www.NWDCKC.org or contact Campaign Lead Brian Noller at (816) 206-8750 or [email protected].
Click here for additional media coverage following the City of Kansas City's commitment.