PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GREAT LAKES BOAT BUILDING SCHOOL
The Economic Development Administration has awarded $2.7 million to the Great Lakes Boat Building School in Cedarville, Michigan, funds secured through the help of U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters as part of the CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant program.
Funds are matched by an additional $686,595 raised, and will go to help the school construct a 10,000-square-foot school expansion, as well as build new boat docking infrastructure and purchase additional maritime training equipment.
“Michigan has a rich maritime history,” says Senator Stabenow. “This funding will boost economic development in the Upper Peninsula and allow the Great Lakes Boat Building School to continue their important work of preparing the next generation of marine industry professionals.”
In addition to allowing the school to more than double its annual graduates, the expansion allowed by the grant is expected to increase the associated economic impact on Mackinac County from $1 million to $2 million annually.
“We want to thank Senators Stabenow and Peters for their support and advocacy of our school and this expansion project,” adds Nikki Storey, president of Great Lakes Boat Building School. “By expanding our instructional infrastructure and thereby more than doubling our annual graduation capacity, this is a significant step in addressing the distressing workforce shortage in the Great Lakes Marine Industry and beyond.”
To learn more about the Great Lakes Boat Building School and its capital campaign, visit glbbs.salsalabs.org.
