MEDC awards $1.3 million to train more than 2,000 workers

BYLINE: Alejandro Bodipo-Memba, Detroit Free Press

Apr. 2--The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has awarded $1.3 million in Economic Development Job Training grants to three dozen companies to upgrade the skills of 2,180 workers.

The grants, which are being administered in cooperation with the Manufacturing Competitiveness Program, will also result in 251 new jobs.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm made the announcement today, which calls for $449,995 to be used to enhance the skills of 569 workers and hire 31 employees at four companies in Oakland and Macomb counties. Funds in the amount of $181,138 will be used to upgrade the skills of 379 workers and 19 new hires at nine companies in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties.

In Livingston and Washtenaw counties, $177,297 will go to help more than 500 workers.

"Keeping up with the pace of manufacturing innovation is an ongoing challenge for employer and employee alike," said MEDC President and CEO James Epolito. "Funding for skills upgrading will keep our companies competitive and keep them creating jobs in Michigan."

Some of the companies that are getting grant funding include:

--General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights

--CBS Boring & Machine in Fraser

--International Specialty Tube in Detroit

--U.S. Farathane in Plymouth

A complete list of the Michigan companies that were recipients of the grants can be found at www.michigan.org.

Contact ALEJANDRO BODIPO-MEMBA at 313-222-5008 or abodipo@freepress.com.

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