MADISON, Wis. -- After hearing from the public Wednesday, Madison Area Technical College board members voted unanimously to put a $133.7 million project that would improve old facilities and build new ones to referendum on the November ballot.

Voters will decide if the "Smart Community Plan" is worth about a $27 annual tax increase on a $200,000 home.

As part of the proposed project, new health care and nursing facilities would be built, among many other upgrades, WISC-TV reported.

Madison College said it needs to keep up with the changing employment landscape by updating its buildings. Officials said the proposal aims directly at preparing students for future jobs that will be in demand in Madison.

For Madison College students like Katie Ackerman, there's a long waiting list for nursing classes.

"We're definitely in need of them, but it's hard to actually get in the program," Ackerman said.

College officials said they looking to address this problem, while anticipating growth, by improving existing facilities and building new ones.

"What we're most concerned about right now is the emerging jobs in the 21st century. They require technical skills that our college right now is having a little bit of trouble offering because our facilities are so old," said Ellen Foley, of Madison College.

The Smart Community Plan would build new nursing and health care facilities, new facilities for emergency services education and green manufacturing as well as make upgrades and improvements at the college's regional facilities.

"Now it's time, with the economy and the trouble that it is, for Madison College and the communities that support it to step up and help us get through this difficult economic time," Foley said.

Some students are hopeful voters will support the project, but not all are optimistic.

"I don't know if they would, but it would be a great asset to the community since there are a lot of people that need to go through the program to help benefit the community. It's very hard for them to go through right now with the facilities available," said student Brian Michaels.

Some people attending Wednesday's board meeting said they had some reservations.

"There has been no discussion of the increase in operating cost the college will bear as result of the expansion," said Mike Kent, who attended the board meeting.

The last time the college went to referendum was more than 35 years ago.