MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced $1 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants have been awarded to 27 Upper Peninsula-area businesses for workforce training and development in 2025.

“Going PRO Talent Fund creates real, long-term pathways to opportunity for people across Michigan,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “When workers earn industry recognized skills, they’re gaining the foundation for a meaningful career that can support a family and open new doors over time. When employers strengthen their teams with highly trained talent, they’re better positioned to grow, innovate and compete. This is how we build a stronger workforce and a stronger Michigan.”

This funding is part of a statewide announcement of nearly 450 businesses receiving over $25 million in grants. The investment will support training for 4,165 new hires and 8,657 existing employees across the state. Since its launch in 2014, the Going PRO Talent Fund has provided workforce development opportunities, awarding $323.4 million to support 8,966 Michigan businesses, with $1,040,458.76 going to businesses in the U.P.

“One of the great, unique features of the Going PRO Talent Fund is the flexibility it offers to help Michigan employers upskill their workforce,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, director of LEO’s Office of Employment and Training. “Supported trainings also provide an opportunity for employees to gain the industry-recognized credentials they need to grow and thrive in these in-demand careers.”

The full list of U..P businesses that received grants are as follows:

Advanced Blending Solutions; Aspirus Ironwood Hospital; Billerud; Cloverland Electric Cooperative Dafter; Cloverland Electric Cooperative De Tour; Cloverland Electric Cooperative Manistique; Cloverland Electric Cooperative Newberry; Cloverland Electric Cooperative Sault Ste. Marie; Coleman Engineering Company – Iron Mountain; Coleman Engineering Company – Ironwood; Eagle Mine – Champion; Erico Electric, Inc.; Ironwood Plastics; Jacquart Fabric Products – Ironwood; L’Anse Manufacturing; Mukavitz Heating Inc.; Northern Wings – Newberry facility; Orbion Space Technology – Houghton; Pike Distributors, Inc.- Gladstone; Pike Transport Inc.- Gladstone; Potlatch; Deltic Land and Lumber; St. Francis Hospital; ThermoAnalytics; UP Health System-Bell-Ishpeming; Up Health System-Marquette; and UP Health System-Portage.

“The state of Michigan gets it right with this funding. The Going PRO Talent Fund empowers employers to invest in high-quality training that boosts productivity, supports employee growth, and drives long-term success,” said Debb Brunell, CEO of Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! “These awards are more than just numbers – they represent real opportunities for businesses to thrive and for workers to build sustainable careers. This program is a win-win.”

A full list can be found at the following link: https://www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/wd/programs-services/going-pro-talent-fund.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.