Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will award over $2.8 million to the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) in hopes of honing skills of prospective employees.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) made the announcement Aug. 19, according to a press release from her office.

“Michigan’s skilled workforce is powering our economic growth, and I am proud that we are making additional investments to expand training, skills development and more to help them succeed,” Whitmer said in the release. “We are working with several partners to build on our economic momentum, ensuring that Michiganders in every region of our great state can get on a path to a good-paying job and businesses of all sizes have the resources and talent they need to compete in the global economy.”

The grant will be used to help 74 state training centers enhance employee training and diversify work skills, according to the release.

Speaker of the Michigan House, Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell), said Mid-Michigan College would use their portion of the grant to help thousands of people develop skills to find a stable career.

“Their training programs are also an important part of our local economy, partnering with local businesses to find the skilled workforce they need to grow and succeed here at home,” said Wentworth said. “I am always proud to support Mid, and I am glad we were able to provide this critical funding in the budget. This is exactly the sort of program we should support and encourage statewide as we look to close the skills gap.”

Roughly $3 million has been earmarked for MSF by the state to provide specific training centers with 15 economic development organizations, according to the release.

“Investments like this prove that Michigan is doubling down on its commitment to train and prepare folks for high-skill, high-wage, high-demand jobs,” said Senate Minority Leader, Jim Ananich (D-Flint). “If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to advance your career, there has never been a better time than right now to learn that new skill or start on a new path, thanks to leadership from Governor Whitmer, the MEDC and their partners.”