NCC Buys Former Hometown Guesthouse in Marcus for Regional Center, Career Academy

Northwest Iowa Community College purchased the former Hometown Guesthouse hotel along Highway 3 on the south side of Marcus to establish a Marcus Regional Center and Career Academy, a move the college says will expand vocational training capacity across northwest Iowa. The acquisition, announced following events on March 6, 2026, is supported in part by a $1 million Career Academy Incentive Fund grant from the State of Iowa.

StormLakeRadio reported that securing the property allows NCC to move from concept to construction and noted, "Securing the property allows NCC to move from concept to construction. Planning, design work, and a full renovation of the former hotel will begin this year to convert the space into classrooms, labs, and hands-on training areas." Kiwaradio and NWICC also said the College will begin planning, design and necessary renovations this year to prepare the facility for its new educational purpose.

Local coverage and college materials describe the purchase as a publicly backed investment: "the initiative, supported in part by a $1 million Career Academy Incentive Fund (CAIF) grant from the State of Iowa, is an investment that reflects a shared commitment among state and local leaders, NCC, and partnering school districts to strengthen rural workforce pipelines and expand access to career-connected learning." The outlets did not report a purchase price or seller at the time of the announcement.

StormLakeRadio detailed the program plan for the Marcus center, saying, "When it does, it will offer high‑demand career pathways in education, welding, healthcare, and design technology. Students will be able to earn industry‑recognized credentials—including CNA certification, OSHA‑10 Safety, and CPR/First Aid—while gaining practical experience in learning environments designed to mirror real workplaces." Those program pathways and credentials are being presented as the initial educational offerings planned for the renovated facility.

The Marcus center is being positioned to serve area high school students through partnerships with MMCRU, South O'Brien, Kingsley-Pierson, and River Valley school districts, with additional districts welcome to join the model, StormLakeRadio reported. That outlet also reported a target opening: "The Marcus Regional Center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027."

NCC framed the Marcus project as an extension of its regional career-education work. NWICC materials note the college, established in 1966, serves more than 7,000 credit and non-credit students annually and highlighted the Sheldon Career Academy and the Sioux Center Regional Center, the latter described as nearing completion and already serving more than 600 dual-enrolled high school students, adult learners, and workforce trainees.

NCC now moves to design, permitting and renovation phases to convert hotel rooms into classrooms, labs and hands-on training spaces; the College identifies the purchase as the next step in a multi-year rollout that includes planning, renovation and eventual student enrollment. For more information or to request a copy of the NCC viewbook or program details, NWICC lists the Admissions Office at studentservices@nwicc.edu. NCC President Dr. John Hartog, paraphrased in local coverage, framed the project as expanding opportunity across rural northwest Iowa and described NCC's long-term commitment to serving the region.