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Michigan Awards $700,000 in Workforce Training Grants

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. awards-700-000-in-workforce-training-grants.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Sunday, February 15th 2026 at 15:36 GMT by MLive
      Locales: Michigan, UNITED STATES

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - February 15, 2026 - A significant injection of funds is poised to enhance the skills of the Michigan workforce, as the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced the awarding of over $700,000 in Talent Development grants to 61 businesses across Kent and Ottawa counties. The grants, revealed on Friday, represent a concerted effort by the state to address critical skill gaps and bolster economic competitiveness.

This latest round of funding highlights Michigan's ongoing commitment to proactive workforce development. With industries rapidly evolving due to technological advancements and shifting market demands, the need for a highly skilled workforce has never been more acute. The Talent Development Grant program is designed to provide businesses with the financial resources necessary to invest in their employees, ensuring they possess the knowledge and abilities to thrive in the modern economy.

"Michigan's Talent Development Grant program plays a vital role in supporting our businesses and ensuring our workforce has the skills needed to thrive in today's economy," stated Michigan Chief Deputy Director of LEO, Laurie Dahlstrom. "These grants aren't just about training; they're about building a future where Michigan workers are equipped to lead in innovation and productivity."

The funded projects showcase a diverse range of training initiatives. Companies are leveraging the grants for everything from the creation of bespoke training curricula tailored to their specific needs, to the acquisition of cutting-edge technology designed to enhance the learning experience. The program's flexibility allows businesses to identify their unique challenges and implement solutions that directly address them.

A Broad Spectrum of Industries Benefitting

The grants aren't limited to a single sector. The awards span a wide variety of industries crucial to the West Michigan economy and beyond. A particularly strong focus appears to be on sectors experiencing rapid growth and demand for specialized skills. Advanced manufacturing, a cornerstone of the Michigan economy, is a major beneficiary, with multiple companies receiving funding to upskill their workforce in areas such as robotics, automation, and precision machining.

The burgeoning Information Technology (IT) sector is also seeing substantial investment. Grants are facilitating training in areas like cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development, preparing employees for roles in this rapidly expanding field. Healthcare, facing ongoing staffing shortages and the need for specialized expertise, is another key area of focus, with grants supporting training for medical technicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

Local Impact and Economic Ripple Effects

The 61 businesses receiving grants represent a significant cross-section of the Kent and Ottawa county business communities. The list includes established companies like Meijer, Haworth, and SteelMaster, as well as smaller, rapidly growing firms like Jettronics and Forest Landscape Services. This broad participation demonstrates the program's appeal across different business sizes and sectors.

The economic impact of these grants is expected to extend far beyond the immediate training initiatives. By enhancing employee skills and productivity, businesses will be better positioned to compete in the global marketplace, attract new investment, and create high-quality jobs. The program also has the potential to reduce unemployment and underemployment, as individuals acquire the skills needed to fill in-demand positions.

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Workforce Strategy

The Talent Development Grant program is just one piece of Michigan's broader workforce development strategy. LEO is also focused on initiatives such as expanding apprenticeship programs, strengthening career and technical education, and connecting job seekers with employers. The goal is to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers that will meet the needs of Michigan's economy for years to come.

List of Grant Recipients:

• Kent County: A&W Riverhouse, American Precision Masters, Arconic Foundation, Aspen Staffing, Atlas Steel, B & E Manufacturing, Baker Tilly US, BKI Business Solutions, Canfield Staal Automotive, Cascade Window Cleaning, Clark Electric, Colliers International, Custom Metalcraft, Daugherty Automotive of Michigan, Delta Star, Diamond Tool, Double L Inc, E & P Group, Engineered Fabric Products, Fern Manufacturing, Fickelmann Enterprises, Forest Landscape Services, Fox Automotive, Gerkens, Gray Matter, Great Lakes Commercial Kitchens, Haworth, Hillside Manufacturing, Horizon Solutions Group, Impressions LLC, IntelliTech Solutions, Jettronics, Johnson Equipment, Kent Quality Farms, KPMG, Legacy Builders, LISC, LMC, Meijer, Midwest Truck Center, Modern Machine Shop, Momentum Manufacturing, National Lumber, New Holland Manuf., North Star, NovaQuest, ODPT, O'Neill Electric, Omni Productions, Paramount Sales, Precision Edge, Protolabs, Quality Water Cooling, RCM Technologies, Rose Automotive Group, SteelMaster, Super Excavating, The Listening Place, Tower Machine, TR Miller, Van Dyke Companies, Velocity Talent Group.
• Ottawa County: ACI Materials Group, Acme Engineering, Alliance Rubber, Demmer International, Dura Automotive Systems, Midwest Rubber & Plastic.

For those interested in learning more about the Talent Development Grant program and other workforce development initiatives in Michigan, please visit [ www.michigan.gov/leo ].