$150,000 in Grants for Economic and Workforce Development

published December 16th, 2009

Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees recently approved $150,000 in grants that will support local economic and workforce development in 2010. Nonprofits receiving these grant awards include:

Grand Valley State University awarded $75,000 for its Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center’s (MSBTDC) FastTrac Initiative which seeks to provide training to 100 potential entrepreneurs over the next year. Through this initiative the SBTDC projects the creation of 30 small businesses, an economic impact of $2.25 million, $3 million in revenue and employment of 50 people in 2010.

Project C.O.O.L. awarded $75,000 for its job training and summer employment program for youth ages 14 to 18. 2010 marks the third year the Community Foundation has supported this program, which places students in minimum wage jobs during the summer months. Youth participants also attend workshops for exposure to career options and post high school educational opportunities. In several instances, participates have received long-term employment following their summer experience. When it began in 2008, the program employed 75 youth. This number is expected to grow to 110 in 2010.

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