Grant anchors new maritime training program in Northern Michigan
The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance and Onaway’s Industrial Arts Institute have secured a state grant to launch a specialized maritime and naval manufacturing workforce training curriculum.
What’s happening: The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) and the Industrial Arts Institute (IAI) in Onaway have secured a state maritime innovation grant to build a specialized workforce training curriculum, positioning Northern Michigan to lead in the state’s expanding maritime and naval manufacturing industries.
About the award: IAI’s maritime training program was one of five projects selected statewide, alongside initiatives in Detroit, Traverse City, Alpena and Houghton focused on BlueTech commercialization, workforce development, autonomous maritime testing and cold-water search-and-rescue technology. The award aims to advance the newly released Michigan Maritime Strategy, the state’s first comprehensive 10-year roadmap for growing its maritime economy. The state’s $1.5 million investment across the five projects is expected to leverage an additional $2 million in private industry funding, bringing total investment to $3.5 million.
What they’re saying: “Northern Michigan has a long history of innovation in the skilled trades, and this grant strengthens our region’s ability to lead in maritime manufacturing as well. In partnership with NLEA, IAI is enhancing our curriculum with maritime-aligned competencies that directly support shipyards, manufacturers and employers across the Great Lakes. This investment deepens workforce pathways and expands opportunities for our communities, ensuring the next generation of skilled trades professionals is prepared for the industries that drive Michigan’s future,” said Tammy Ward, Executive Director of IAI.
ABOUT IAI: Founded in 2013 to address advanced manufacturing workforce needs, IAI will use the grant to build a specialized training curriculum tailored to Michigan’s growing maritime and naval industries, expanding its nationally recognized welding and fabrication programs to prepare skilled workers for maritime careers. The new maritime-focused programming is expected to graduate its first cohort of workers trained in welding, fabrication, non-destructive testing and specialized safety practices in spring 2027.
About Northern Lakes Economic Alliance: The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance is a nonprofit economic development organization serving Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties in Northern Michigan. NLEA works to strengthen the region’s economy through business growth support, talent attraction and retention initiatives, and strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders.
Author
Related Articles
Eight Michigan libraries secure inaugural rural library grants
Eight rural public libraries across Oakland, Monroe, and Livingston counties have been named the inaugural Michigan recipients of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s new $3 million Rural Library Grants Program to transform their facilities into enhanced community hubs.
Frey Foundation awards $10,000 to support talent attraction and retention in Charlevoix and Emmet counties
The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has received a $10,000 grant from the Frey Foundation to fund its Regional Talent Attraction & Retention Initiative in Charlevoix and Emmet counties
Score Canvas takes first place and audience choice award at TCNewTech
Score Canvas won both First Place and the Audience Choice awards at the TCNewTech pitch competition, securing $5,500 for its video game music education platform, while parent organization 20Fathoms announced Stacey Feeley as its new Executive Director to lead its growing BlueTech initiatives.
