$4M in grant awards will help remove employment barriers for at-risk Michiganders

LEO also releases Request for Proposals for community-based tool to further support transportation barrier removal efforts

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Workforce Development Board have announced the recipients of $4 million in grant awards to help more Michiganders get a job or be successful at work by removing barriers to employment.

LEO has also released a competitive Request for Proposals to support the development of a tool that will help Michiganders overcome transportation barriers that prevent them from securing or maintaining self-sustaining employment.

Fourteen Michigan Works! Agencies received the $4 million in grant funding to provide additional help removing employment barriers for vulnerable populations caused by transportation issues related to automobile purchases and repair, or support for those who lack necessary work tools or equipment.

“Every Michigander deserves a fair shot at a bright future, and these grants will help remove barriers that get in the way of people finding work,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Whether it’s getting a ride to a job interview or to your shift on-site, transportation is critical to getting and keeping a job. By connecting hardworking Michiganders with the resources they need to get where they need to go, we can help them provide for themselves and their families while also ensuring our businesses have access to the qualified workforce they need to succeed. Let’s keep working together to lower costs, remove barriers, and make Michigan the best state to find and keep a good-paying job.”

As part of the Talent and Growth Barrier Removal Initiative, Michigan Works! Agencies will identify trusted and vetted partners in the automobile sales and repair industry to provide reliable, high-quality services to program participants — helping remove a significant employment barrier when other means of transportation, such as public transit, are not available or appropriate.

Work-related tools and equipment have also been identified as significant areas of need by participants.

“By investing in efforts that remove the challenges people have with getting or keeping a job, we are one step closer to closing equity gaps and creating economic opportunity and prosperity for all Michiganders,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “The Talent and Growth Barrier Removal Initiative will help grow our workforce, support employers and strengthen communities.” 

The initiative supports at-risk individuals to help them secure and retain long-term, meaningful employment. This population, especially those currently working in low-wage jobs, often are not eligible for other assistance or job support programs.

“No one should have to choose to turn down a job and remain unemployed simply because they don’t have adequate transportation or work equipment,” said Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of LEO’s Office of Employment & Training. “The Talent and Growth Barrier Removal Initiative helps ensure these at-risk Michiganders have the transportation and work-related tools or equipment they need to secure and retain long-term, meaningful employment.”

Award allocations to Michigan Works! Agencies:

“Individuals looking for a job need a sustainable solution for barrier removal, such as support with transportation and gathering the right equipment they need to do their jobs well,” said Paul Kirk, Vice President of Workforce for Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “The Talent and Growth Fund will be just that. This funding will be instrumental for Michigan’s job seekers and will allow them to focus on obtaining and retaining employment.”

To learn more about the efforts of the Michigan Works! Agencies, visit Michigan.gov/MichiganWorks.

This initiative was created in partnership with the Michigan Workforce Development Board, an advisory body that makes recommendations to the Governor on workforce policy and provides oversight of the state’s workforce system. The Board also advances the Statewide Workforce Plan, which includes the Governor's Sixty by 30 goal to increase the number of working-age adults with a skill certificate or college degree to 60% by 2030.

"As Chair of the State Workforce Board’s Barriers Committee, I advocate for innovative and effective ways to break down barriers getting in the way of workers connecting to and staying in good jobs. This includes identifying effective answers to ensure everyone has access to reliable transportation and the tools they need to be successful on the job,” said Terri Weems, Group Executive of Workforce and Detroit at Work. "This funding brings efficient solutions to problems many Michiganders face in obtaining and keeping employment, and the long-term benefit will be increased economic prosperity for residents and employers."

To further support barrier removal efforts at the community level, LEO has released a competitive Request for Proposals to support the development of a customizable, locally deployable Transportation Barrier Removal Playbook that empowers employers and community-based organizations to develop and sustain effective transportation programs. This initiative is designed to remove a significant employment barrier when means of transportation, such as public transit, are not available or appropriate.

The bidder will develop a playbook that can be used as a tool to launch effective community programs and will have experience with related projects. The playbook will detail best practices and partnerships and include a step-by-step guide for communities in Michigan to launch their own transportation barrier removal program. The tool should prioritize program replicability, usability, stakeholder engagement, promotion, scalability and research-based evidence to deploy impactful transportation programs.

Request for Proposal submissions are due by June 13, 2025. More information about this Request for Proposal opportunity is available on Workforce Development’s funding opportunities webpage. Those with questions regarding this funding opportunity should contact frankj4@michigan.gov.

These barrier removal initiatives are part of LEO’s All-Access approach to solving complex workforce problems. This approach improves economic outcomes across the state by addressing structural challenges and removing barriers preventing people and businesses from reaching their full potential. To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/AllAccess.

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