Stabenow, Peters Secure $1.1 Million in Funding for Alpena Community College to Expand Workforce Development Programs

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) successfully secured $1,100,000 million for the Oscoda Center for Workforce Innovation at Alpena Community College to expand critical Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This funding will help build additional lab spaces to support the Oscoda Center’s existing technical education programs and develop additional programs in demand by employers. These in-demand programs are in the fields of advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, nursing and other related health care programs, aerospace technology, and IT technology to support greater broadband access across Northeast Michigan. This federal investment to support Alpena Community College’s efforts to strengthen regional workforce development was included in the bipartisan government funding bill for Fiscal Year 2022, which Stabenow and Peters helped pass out of the Senate last week. It was signed into law by President Biden.

“Michigan businesses are ready to hire,” said Senator Stabenow. “I am excited that this investment will expand career paths for young people and create new opportunities for workers looking for new challenges. Alpena Community College has been at the cutting edge of innovative workforce training. This investment is a win for the College, workers and businesses who are ready to grow their business and create new good-paying jobs.”

“I’ve heard from small businesses and families across the state about the need to expand skills training and apprenticeship opportunities to ensure our workforce is equipped to succeed in a 21^st century economy,” said Senator Peters. “Alpena Community College continues to serve as a regional hub for economic and workforce development – and this funding will support their robust efforts to better prepare Michiganders for good-paying, sustainable jobs.”

“Alpena Community College is grateful for the great support provided by U.S. Senator Gary Peters and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow in this process,” said Alpena Community College President Dr. Don MacMaster. “Both senators and their staffs spend time in Northeast Lower Michigan and on the campus of Alpena Community College. Both are deeply knowledgeable about the challenges and opportunities faced by the citizens of this region. Thanks to both for their efforts on behalf of Alpena Community College and the constituents we serve. Their support makes a difference, as this funding demonstrates.”

More information on this funding included in the FY22 omnibus appropriations law can be found here: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/congressionally-directed-spending-requests

###