Twenty-four area employers located across Genesee, Huron, Sanilac, Shiawassee and Tuscola counties were awarded a total of $1,353,925 to train current and new employees and apprentices. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) invests Going PRO Talent Fund grants to employers through Michigan’s workforce system through a competitive application process.
The Talent Fund is designed to assist employers in training, developing, and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training courses are typically short-term and fill a demonstrated training need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.
“The Going-Pro Talent Fund is such a valuable tool for our businesses in the region. Not only does it help them train new employees, but it ensures that they are able to maintain the skills of their current workforce in this ever-changing environment. The ability to continue to grow their business relies on a skilled workforce…. and healthy businesses help the entire region prosper.” Jody Kerbyson, CEO, GST Michigan Works!
Complete list of Talent Fund awards facilitated by GST Michigan Works!:
| Organization | County | Award Amount | |
| Vetcon Inc. | Genesee County | $ 39,500.00 | |
| TGI Direct Inc – Flint | Genesee County | $ 33,048.00 | |
| Communities First, Inc. | Genesee County | $ 28,996.00 | |
| Johnson & Wood LLC | Genesee County | $ 120,105.00 | |
| Fenton Winery & Brewery – Fenton | Genesee County | $ 28,091.00 | |
| Premier Security Solutions – Flint | Genesee County | $ 244,364.00 | |
| WT Stevens Construction, Inc. -Flint Office | Genesee County | $ 81,949.00 | |
| ACI Plastics- Flint | Genesee County | $ 252,460.00 | |
| Barrette Outdoor Living – Flint | Genesee County | $ 60,098.00 | |
| Valley Enterprises Ubly, Inc. | Huron County | $ 11,267.00 | |
| Regency Plastics, Inc. | Huron County | $ 44,000.00 | |
| Antolin Michigan Inc | Sanilac County | $ 32,786.00 | |
| Midwest Rubber Company / Deckerville | Sanilac County | $ 16,231.00 | |
| Great Lakes Composite – Owosso | Shiawassee County | $ 21,607.00 | |
| Memorial Healthcare | Shiawassee County | $ 22,296.00 | |
| Midwest Bus Corporation- Owosso | Shiawassee County | $ 41,205.00 | |
| Crest Marine LLC | Shiawassee County | $ 22,425.00 | |
| TCA Management LLC | Tuscola County | $ 20,697.00 | |
| Walbro – Cass City | Tuscola County | $ 23,138.00 | |
| Mi-Tech Tooling Inc – Cass City | Tuscola County | $ 25,622.00 | |
| Greater Thumb Eyecare | Tuscola County | $ 650.00 | |
| Stemco | Tuscola County | $ 8,955.00 | |
| Laser Marking Technologies | Tuscola County | $ 6,435.00 | |
| Third Man Pressing, LLC – Detroit | Wayne County | $ 168,000.00 | |