A standing room only crowd packed the auditorium of North Seattle Community College's new High Technology Learning Center on March 2 for the opening ceremony of the $15 million facility. Included in the ceremonies was a speech by Gov. Gary Locke.

Planning of the three-story, 41,000 square foot facility began over 12 years ago. It has been a process supported not only by NSCC, but also by the legislature, businesses, and the community. $14 million was funded by the state while $1 million came from the federal government. The center features state of the art connectivity and will be used as a model for other facilities nationwide.

"Yes! We're ready!" was the repeated motto throughout the event, as each speaker expounded on the fact that NSCC is ready to give students the skills necessary to join the high technology work force of the 21st century. Locke said that the facility will help fill the skills gap that currently exists in the job market, allowing Washington jobs to be filled by Washingtonians.