Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) will receive more than $630,000 in state funds in connection with the newly-completed Michigan Maritime Strategy, the office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday morning. NMC is one of five community colleges in the state receiving the grant dollars, which total more than $3 million in investment.

The grants come from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and are intended to help advance initiatives “that grow the maritime economy, prepare workers for high‑demand shipbuilding and manufacturing careers, and modernize commercial port facilities across the state.”

Those goals are key elements of the first-ever Michigan Maritime Strategy, which calls for the state to “lead the nation in sustainable, innovative, equitable, and collaborative maritime solutions.” NMC was a part of the development of that document, as Jason Slade – the college’s vice president of strategic initiatives, explained to Ticker sister publication the Traverse City Business News in April.

Now, NMC has been awarded a $630,876 grant, which NMC Communications Director Cari Noga says will help bolster the college’s marine technology program. The grants will also help “expand training capacity for high‑demand maritime and shipbuilding occupations” at four other Michigan community colleges, including Gogebic Community College, North Central Michigan College, Schoolcraft College, Washtenaw Community College.

“Michigan has a proud heritage in manufacturing and this $3 million investment will help us build on our legacy by preparing workers with the right skills maritime industry employers need to find success,” LEO Director Susan Corbin said in a press release. “By expanding opportunities and aligning workforce training with industry needs, we’re opening pathways to good-paying, future-ready jobs for Michiganders.”