Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren has secured $2.9M in competitive grants from the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund to help 39 local employers enhance their workforce. The grants awarded provide funds to local employers for training, developing, and in some cases retaining employees.
“Having a skilled workforce means having strong businesses and a thriving economy,” said Mark O’Reilly, Director of Business Solutions at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “The Going PRO funds awarded to our Southwest Michigan employers are critical for ensuring we have a skilled workforce and that our employers remain competitive. These funds will allow our employers to train over 1,700 new workers, incumbent workers, and apprentices without the financial stress that often comes with training.”
There are many training programs eligible for funding, including classroom training, which prepares individuals with the skill set required to meet the employer’s needs and diversify the skill sets of current employees. In addition, employers can also receive onsite job training reimbursement for wages paid while training a new or existing employee on a new process. Apprenticeships are also supported through Going PRO funds.
In collaboration with Michigan Works!, employers will work with training providers, such as Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MTTC), Lake Michigan College, and Southwestern Michigan College to deliver the training resulting from the grants.
Awardees of the recent cycle of Going PRO funds are: Abonmarche Consultants, Inc., Barber Packaging Company, Bridgville Plastics Inc., Bronson South Haven Hospital, C & S Machine Products, Inc., C5 Electric LLC, Cass County Council on Aging, CHT USA Inc., Colson Group, Creative Foam Corporation, Custom Tool & Die Company, Inc., Dura Mold, Eagle Technologies- A Convergix Company, Flamm Pickle & Packing Co., Grotnes, Hanson International, Harbor Village at Harbor Shores, Harloff Manufacturing Company LLC, Kay Manufacturing Company, Kindred Products LLC, Lane Automotive, LECO Corporation, Lyons Industries, Inc., McGuire’s Maintenance and Preservation, McGuire’s Professional Construction, Modineer Group, National Standard – Niles, Niles Steel Tank Company, Paragon Tempered Glass, Primetals Technologies USA LLC – Benton Harbor Facility, Pro Powder, Inc., Profarm Group, Shawnee Specialties, Inc., Spartan Tool, Spencer Fire Trucks, The Children’s Center, Tigmaster Co., Tri-Mation Industries Inc., and US Tarp, Inc.
In the previous two funding cycles of 2023, the team at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren has helped secure a total of $3.6 million in competitive grants from the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund to help 49 local employers enhance their workforce.
Michigan Works! has additional resources to help existing companies develop trainings, support growth and hiring needs, and retain employees. The next cycle of Going PRO Talent Fund grant applications is slated to be released by the state in the spring. Employers are encouraged to reach out to Berrien County Business Solutions Manager, Michael Mompremier at MompremierM@miworks.org or Cass and Van Buren Business Solutions Manager, Jennifer Leich at LeichJ@miworks.org to start the application process.
For more information about Going PRO, visit www.Michigan.G.ov/TalentFund
