From Empty Lot to Family Home: The Heart Behind the NICC Building Trades Project
Friday, May 22, 2026
Last June, 501 Main St. in Calmar was an empty patch of grass. Today, it’s a modern home, a testament to the months of early mornings spent by the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) students who built it from the ground up.
Last Friday, the Building Trades Open House provided a chance for the community to witness the results of this dedication firsthand. As neighbors and local contractors toured the new construction, the conversation focused on the professional quality of the build—a home that represents nearly a year of hard work by the Carpentry and Electrical students.
Building More Than Walls
The Carpentry, Commercial-Residential and Industrial Electrician programs provide students with a high-stakes introduction to their future careers through this immersive experience. "The house project gives them real-world scenarios that happen—things such as miscommunication, faulty devices or building plan changes," said Electrical Instructor Codey Hayek. "It is a great chance for the students to grow in ways that you can't learn from reading a book."
Hayek knows the impact of this project firsthand. A 2014 graduate of the program, he now guides a new generation through the same "crash course" that shaped his own career. He’s seen the program’s "charisma" draw students from across the state—some even bypassing other opportunities specifically for this hands-on experience at the College.
A Legacy of Local Pride
The "house project" has connected the College to the Calmar community for nearly 60 years. For decades, students have been helping fill the need for quality, affordable homes.
"I can talk to someone who graduated 20 or 30 years ago and their first question is always, 'Where's the house project at this year?'" Hayek added. "These projects are really a staple in northeast Iowa communities and the College itself.”
In recent years, that legacy has evolved. The program has pivoted to focus on smaller, handicap-accessible housing to meet a growing local demand for homes that are easier to maintain. It’s a shift that reflects the College’s mission to respond to the changing needs of the region.
Driven by a Deadline
The timeline is ambitious. Every summer starts with an empty lot, and 10.5 months later, a family is ready to move in.
“The students tackle a rather large commitment when they begin the program,” said Carpentry Instructor Brian Ondrashek. “In mid-June, we are staring at an empty lot and 10.5 months later, a house has been built and is ready to move into. That is quite the crash course. Hats off to all of our students who braved the weather conditions and the time commitment to complete the house project!”
As the College looks toward the 2026-2027 academic year, the work continues. Students will soon begin the second side of the current duplex. Ethan Falck, who completed the Carpentry program and graduated from Decorah High School this spring, plans to return to the build site in the fall as a student in the Electrical program.
“I figured Carpentry would be something good to add to my resume and a way to learn some new skills that will help me with electrical as well,” he said. “After I finish the Electrical program, I plan to continue working with Decorah Electric, where I already have a job.”
Community Partners and Supporters
The College is incredibly thankful for its past homeowners, whose projects have provided generations of students with invaluable hands-on experience.
The success of this year’s build was made possible through the support of several local partners and contractors, including:
- Blaine Kurth Pumping
- Bruening Rock Products
- Croell Redi Mix
- DH Construction
- Jason Wenthold Construction
- L&S Supply and Rental
- Marv Smith Electric, Plumbing and Heating
- Northeast Iowa Backhoe Services
- Ossian Lumber Company
- Superior Building Center
Ready to Build Your Future?
Explore NICC Carpentry, Commercial-Residential Electrician and Industrial Electrician programs to get started.