In an increasingly competitive economic landscape where attracting and retaining top talent has become a primary challenge for businesses, a significant financial infusion is set to bolster the local workforce and address critical skill gaps. Sixteen employers across Macomb County recently received a combined total of $886,090 in grant funding specifically designed to enhance the capabilities of their employees. The funds, which were officially distributed in December 2025, originate from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) highly regarded Going PRO Talent Fund. This initiative is centered on empowering local businesses to invest directly in their teams by providing resources for training, development, and long-term retention strategies. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a more resilient and highly skilled regional workforce, ensuring that companies can adapt to evolving industry demands and that employees have clear pathways for career advancement within their organizations, thereby strengthening the entire economic ecosystem of the county.
Fostering Growth Through Strategic Partnerships
The recent funding allocation represents a key component of a broader, collaborative effort to fortify the region’s labor pool, with the Macomb County awards being part of a larger grant of nearly $943,000 distributed to 18 employers throughout Macomb and St. Clair counties. A crucial element of this program’s success is the hands-on support provided by Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!, which plays a pivotal role in guiding local employers through the often complex grant application process. This assistance ensures that businesses, regardless of their size or sector, can access the resources needed to upskill their workforce. The diversity of the grant recipients, which includes companies from manufacturing, healthcare, and advanced engineering such as Contrast Mechanical, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, and Magna International, underscores the wide-reaching impact of the initiative. By investing in a variety of industries, the program not only addresses immediate skill shortages but also promotes a more dynamic and adaptable economic base for the entire region.
A Proven Model for Employee Retention
The tangible benefits of the Going PRO Talent Fund were clearly demonstrated by the experience of Drake Enterprises, Inc., a manufacturing company and a repeat recipient of the grant. According to Heather Dombrowski, the company’s executive manager, the funding proved instrumental in directly addressing one of the most persistent challenges in the industry: employee turnover. By leveraging the grant to send employees to specialized training programs throughout the year and to supplement its robust apprenticeship program, the company has seen a marked improvement in employee retention. Dombrowski emphasized that this investment in skill development is a cornerstone of the company’s strategy to promote from within, a practice that has become essential in the current labor market. This approach not only equipped employees with new competencies but also fostered a sense of loyalty and value, creating a more stable and motivated workforce that was prepared to grow with the company.
