Grand Rapids Community College partners with Lakeshore Advantage and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to improve manufacturing classes

Grand Rapids Community College has formed a partnership with Lakeshore Advantage and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to acquire new equipment for its manufacturing programs at its Lakeshore Campus.

The Lakeshore Campus of Grand Rapids Community College is one of three schools in the Ottawa and Allegan counties that are benefitting from the Michigan Training Center Equipment grant program, a program which is aimed at expanding employment opportunities along the lakeshore in Michigan.

Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens was quoted by Second Wave Media about the project, saying, “As Lakeshore companies continue to grow and expand, the need for a trained workforce becomes more pressing. The Michigan Workforce TCE grant program helps ensure our training providers have the appropriate equipment to help workers and students achieve the credentials and skills needed to be successful in today’s marketplace.”
 
Grand Rapids Community College’s Lakeshore Campus, which is located in Holland Township, has been awarded $49,875 for use in buying new equipment for its advanced automation training courses. 

Grand Rapids Community College’s dean of workforce training, Julie Parks, spoke on the partnership: "GRCC values our collaboration with Lakeshore Advantage, Holland-area employers and the MEDC to give local residents the ability to gain skills they need for today and for the future. This additional equipment is another piece that allows GRCC to make sure the workforce is ready to produce products that make Michigan a manufacturing leader.”

The grant money for GRCC comes from a nearly $3 million funding program from the statewide Michigan Workforce TCE Grant Program, which aims to give support to workforce training providers and was put into action by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer was quoted in a press release about the implementation of the Michigan Workforce TCE Grant Program as saying, “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. 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.”

Lakeshore Advantage is a nonprofit organization focusing on economic development. It was formed in 2003 by members of the business community to help create an environment in Michigan that would encourage a desire to work and live in the region. Lakeshore Advantage helps employers of all sizes in West Michigan. 

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation works with over 100 Michigan businesses as a marketing partner with the goal of bringing business into the state. 

Those interested in the Michigan Workforce Training Center Equipment Grant Program can learn more here.

Grand Rapids Community College’s main campus is in downtown Grand Rapids. The college also has a Lakeshore Campus, as well as class locations in other parts of the state such as Rockford and Caledonia. GRCC offers certificates and Associate’s degrees in a wide range of subjects including manufacturing, healthcare, music, nursing, and more. They also work with students and other schools to make transferring to and from the school as beneficial as possible through use of the Michigan Transfer Agreement.