2024 Impact Report
From Our Leadership
This past year, we proudly celebrated our 50th anniversary with the theme of “50 Years of Change in Northwest Michigan.” At Networks Northwest, we have been shepherding people, businesses, and communities through the difficulties of change since our inception. Adapting to a rapidly changing economy is inherent in our work, and we have aligned our 40+ programs on a single purpose: helping our customers through the process of change – honoring what was while courageously stepping into an unknown but better future.
To ease the fears and alleviate the challenges faced by our customers, we have focused on helping them to reduce barriers and anticipate advancements that will inevitably occur. Because of our support, the Talent of our region is more prepared than ever before – they have better foundational skills and recognize career pathways in their own back yard. Businesses have resources and customized guidance for stability and growth. And Communities are responding to the evolving preferences of their residents while building resilience and prosperity.
We are deeply grateful for the collaboration of many partners, without whom we could not have achieved this significant milestone. We also recognize the infinite ways in which our entire team makes our success possible – their work changes lives every day.
Janie McNabb
Cheif Executive Officer
Nicole Sulak
Board Chair
Chris Christensen
Chief Elected Official
Learn More About Our Impact
Networks Northwest serves as headquarters to more than 40 different programs that help the Talent, Businesses, and Communities of our region. By pooling administrative costs across so many programs, we enable more resources to flow to direct services. This focus on customer service ensures effective use of funding and amplifies our impact.
Talent:
0+ Served
0+ Trained
0+ Military Veterans served
Business:
0+ Served
0 Apprentices
$0.5million+ Leveraged
$0million+ Economic Impact
Community:
0+ Projects
$0+ in grants for economic development
Talent
Empowering Job Seekers
In the era of web-based job search and mountains of conflicting advice, where can a job seeker go for help from a real person? The answer is Northwest Michigan Works!
In our offices, you’ll find a team of approachable, supportive professionals. Last year, we helped more than 8,000 people look for jobs by navigating AI-based job applications, researching the latest job postings, and finding opportunities for retraining. We cultivated relationships through Career Connection, a bi-weekly networking event. And we provided customized, in-depth services for those who are collecting Unemployment Insurance, reducing the amount of time they spent on unemployment.
Reducing Barriers
Helping our local workforce to overcome barriers is an investment that pays long-term dividends – our talent gets and keeps good jobs; employers gain access to a reliable, skilled workforce; and use of government programs is reduced. We coordinate with partners to leverage community resources like transportation and childcare. We work one-on-one with customers to improve their employability skills. This ‘hand-up’ support results in long-term, sustainable employment.
Developing Future Talent
Our Youth Services team spends quality time with the youth of our region, focusing on lifelong career skills. We provide intensive mentoring, resources, and pathways to in-demand, local occupations.
The Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) program integrates education with employer connections and work experiences, preparing youth for a successful future. Through JMG, we’re helping youth stay in school, graduate, and move on to a job, education, or military careers.
0+ Youth served
Improving
Foundational Skills
We believe that education is the cornerstone of lifelong success, so we have delivered Adult Education programming for more than three decades. Using a unique model, we offer flexible, individualized learning options. People of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences can earn their High School Diploma or GED, or improve basic math, reading, and writing skills.
Program Partner: Northwest Education Services
0+ Served
0+ Digital Literacy Certificates awarded
Filling Jobs & Reducing Turnover
Local employers are looking for any way to promote their open positions and attract quality talent. They are also focused on retaining their current employees. Our services help companies to find and keep a skilled workforce.
We partner with Pure Michigan Talent Connect to post jobs, promoting open positions to job seekers across the state. Last year, we helped to fill almost 2,000 jobs in the region.
The Business Resource Network (BRN) is a membership-based program where companies share a Success Coach to support their employees. The Success Coach spends time on-site and is available virtually to help with any issue that gets in the way of an employee’s productivity and success.
Demand-driven Training
Our primary workforce training strategy is to partner with local employers – they are the experts in their own needs. But small businesses are working with small profit margins, and don’t always have the resources to pay for training. So we bring grants that offset the high cost of upskilling, making it possible to leverage millions more in company expansion.
GoingPro Talent Fund:
Awards: $0 million, Trainees: 0+, Leveraged Funds: $0.5 million+
Industry 4.0 Grants:
Awards: $0, Increased Business Revenue: $0+
"Leanne and the APEX Accelerator program have been amazing. They are knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions when I need them. I’ve been extremely impressed and have already won a large award after a few weeks.”
Diane Arnold
Owner, Neuco
Recognizing Impact
This study, conducted by Networks Northwest in partnership with Fourth Economy, explored the impact of the outdoor economy, well beyond traditional tourism. The types of businesses included in the study ranged from ski equipment manufacturers to marinas to ebike retailers. This report provides a wealth of data and recommendations for local economic development opportunities. The report was commissioned by a collaborative group of local and regional economic development agencies, and supported with funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Key Takeaways:
• Outdoor recreation contributed $1.15 Billion to the local economy
• Outdoor economy businesses are growing – 0% have increased sales and are planning to hire
• Opportunities for growth include eboats, ebikes, and ORV rentals
Planning for Safety
Preventing large-scale disasters is the best strategy for protecting a community, but hazardous conditions are often out of our control. However, we can certainly do our best to prepare and mitigate the damage. Hazard Mitigation planning gathers community members and local governments to prepare for disasters caused by weather, accidents, and non-military attacks. We assist each county with creating a plan, which identifies vulnerable areas and essential infrastructure, and creates mitigation strategies.
Coordinating Active Transportation
Active transportation is “human-powered” – like walking or biking – and is primarily non-motorized. This mode of transit is a viable alternative for many residents, including those without vehicles. Networks Northwest and our counterpart, Northeast Michigan Council of Governments, worked with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to create a comprehensive plan for all of Northern Michigan.
Re-imagining Economic Potential
Lake City, the population center of Missaukee County, has great economic growth potential – it is situated on Lake Missaukee and has a quaint downtown. However, the community wants to shape its future and ensure its character is preserved. Networks Northwest helped the city obtain a grant from the Office of Rural Prosperity to “re-imagine” the M-66 corridor. We facilitated a robust public input process and developed strategies for economic growth.
Financial Summary
Fiscal year 2024 • Ending 9.30.2024 • Total: $0
Expenditures by Function. Administration: 1376753, 11%. Direct services to customers: 11474852, 89%.
Revenue by Source. Counties: less than 1%. Private: 11%. State: 41%. Federal: 48%.
Expenditures by Service Category. Other: 54844, .5%. Community: 2701190, 28%. Business: 3572853, 28%. Talent: 6503871, 51%.