Northwest Michigan Employers Secure Over $500,000 in Going PRO Talent Fund Cycle Two Awards to Uplift Regional Workforce

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2026

Download the article

NORTHWEST LOWER, MI - Thirteen employers across Northwest Michigan have been awarded a total of $502,674.50 in Cycle Two of the Going PRO Talent Fund (GPTF). These state training awards fuel critical skill development and upskilling for 327 regional workers, including 264 current employees and 63 newly hired team members. Highlighting a strong focus on long-term career pathways and talent development, 45 of these trainees are registered apprentices.

The funded training spans diverse high-demand sectors in the region, including Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare, Construction, and Energy. The Going PRO Talent Fund program operates on a reimbursement model, ensuring that employers receive financial backing for completed training. Demonstrating a profound, shared commitment to regional economic development, the awarded employers are investing an additional $646,402.74 of their own capital for the year alongside the state grant, bringing the total workforce investment in the area to well over $1.1 million.

“We are incredibly excited to help local employers realize their critical training and upskilling needs through the Going PRO Talent Fund,” said Rob Dickinson, Regional Director for Business Services at Northwest Michigan Works!. “We are even more excited about this major investment in our workforce here in Northern Michigan. By empowering employers to bridge their skill gaps and support career growth from within, this funding serves as a vital catalyst for regional economic growth, helping our community and businesses thrive.”

Among the funded employers is Ellsworth Farmer's Exchange, a local agricultural employer. “The Going PRO Talent Fund will be an invaluable investment in our workforce here,” said Angela Middleton of Ellsworth Farmer’s Exchange. “This investment strengthens our employees by providing industry leading training. We appreciate the partnership with Northwest Michigan Works! for helping make this opportunity possible.”

The Going PRO Talent Fund is administered statewide by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). For more information about Networks Northwest and business services offered throughout the region, visit nwm.org/businessservices