Michigan Works! secures $3.1M in grants to fund training and retain employees at local businesses

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren announced it secured $3.1 million in grants from the State of Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund, which will help 43 local employers train, develop, and retain employees.

"Being a demand driven organization means that we put employers at the top of our priority list,” said Mark O’Reilly, Director of Business Solutions at Michigan Works!. “We know that training is expensive and time consuming, which is why we continue to submit as many applications as we can for Going PRO funding. We’re excited to support employers with upskilling and training more than 1,600 new workers, incumbent workers, and apprentices without the financial stress that comes with it.”

Officials say eligible training programs include classroom training in addition to onsite job training reimbursement to employers for wages paid while training a new or existing employee on a new process, technology, or machines.

Michigan Works! will collaborate with employers and work with training providers, including Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Lake Michigan College, and Southwestern Michigan College, to execute the training.

• A& B Packaging Equipment Inc.
• Abonmarche Consultants, Inc.
• Bronson South Haven
• C&S Machine Products
• C5 Electric LLC
• CHT USA Inc.
• Colson Group – Albion
• Colson Group - St. Joseph
• Convergix Automation
• Creative Foam Custom Tool and Die Company, Inc.
• Dura Mold, Inc.
• Final Gravity Brewing Co.
• Flamm Pickle & Packing Co.
• Flowers Early Learning
• Fremont Flask, Inc.
• Grotnes
• Hanson International
• Harloff Manufacturing Company
• Kay Manufacturing
• Koehler Industries
• Lane Automotive
• Leco Corporation
• Mann Metal Finishing, Inc.
• Marcellus Metalcasters, Inc.
• McGuire's Maintenance and Preservation
• McGuire's Professional Construction
• Modern Buggy RV LLC
• Modineer
• Niles Steel Tank
• Primetals Technologies USA LLC Benton Harbor, MI Facility
• Primoris Renewable Energy
• Ripple Effects Autism Learning Center
• ROSTA USA Corp
• Spartan Tool
• Spencer Manufacturing Inc.
• The Children's Center – Niles
• The Inn at Harbor Shores
• Tigmasters Inc.
• Tri Mation Industries Inc.
• Vickers Engineering
• Wierco, LLC
• Youth Development Company/PAL