DWD to award $4 million in grants to train workers in manufacturing, construction, transportation

MADISON (WITI) – Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary (DWD) Reggie Newson announces the DWD's intent to award nearly $4 million in worker training grants to help 57 employers develop in-demand skills for almost 3,600 workers through Round 3 of Governor Walker's Wisconsin Fast Forward (WFF) initiative.

"The Wisconsin Fast Forward program is moving Wisconsin's economy forward," Secretary Newson said. "With each round of grant awards, word is spreading about the program's effectiveness and its positive impact on hundreds of employers and thousands of employees while helping to fuel economic growth and position the state as the nation's talent development leader."

In July, Secretary Newson announced the availability of an additional $8 million in grants to support customized training opportunities in nine industries. Of this, the DWD is awarding nearly $4 million in the following industries:


    DWD previously announced plans to distribute over $6 million in WFF grants for over 170 businesses throughout the state. This latest announcement makes approximately $10 million available to equip more than 10,200 current and new workers with the high-demand skills that are required by almost 230 employers.

    Early last year, Governor Walker proposed the $15 million WFF grant initiative, which lawmakers quickly approved with overwhelming bipartisan support. WFF encourages partnerships between employers, training partners and workforce and economic development organizations, and awards grants to support customized training solutions for skilled workers.

    The WFF program is administered by the DWD Office of Skills Development (OSD), which has developed an effective process that enables businesses to easily apply for grants. Applications are evaluated by representatives from OSD, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Technical College System, and local chambers of commerce.

    DWD expects to make additional WFF – Round 3 grant announcements in the coming weeks for innovative training projects in the financial services, information technology, customer service, small business, health care and agriculture industries.
















































































































































    Wisconsin Fast Forward Grant Awards
    Manufacturing
    Business Partner County Intent to Award
    Baptista's Bakery Milwaukee County $400,000
    Cambridge Major Laboratories Washington County $400,000
    Allen Edmonds Ozaukee County $298,000
    Marinette Marine Corporation, ACE Marine, LLC, and Bay Shipbuilding Company Brown, Door and Marinette Counties $293,915
    InterFlex Group Lincoln County $287,500
    Masterson Company Milwaukee County $189,048
    ExacTech, Inc. Door County $164,405
    Gordon Aluminum Industries Marathon County $130,885
    Paragon Packaging, LLC Manitowoc County $116,592
    Tulip Molded Plastics Corporation Milwaukee County $115,166
    Universal Acoustic & Emission Technologies, Inc. Dane, Grant and Rock Counties $101,151
    ThermTech of Waukesha Waukesha County $95,824
    Ball Corporation Dane County $90,000
    Super Steel Milwaukee County $85,700
    Arow Global Marathon County $83,680
    Rice Lake Weighing Systems Barron County $78,795
    Linetec Marathon County $76,016
    Dillman Equipment Crawford County $68,807
    SMC, Ltd. St. Croix County $43,573
    KLH Industries, Inc. Washington County $27,721
    Semling-Menke Company, Inc. Lincoln County $21,918
    SMC, Ltd. St. Croix County $14,765
    Nicolet Plastics, Inc. Oconto County $14,752
    Minnesota Rubber & Plastics St. Croix County $11,456
    Northern Metal Fab, Inc. St. Croix County $7,522
    TOTAL   $3,217,191


     









































    Transportation
    Business Partner County Intent to Award
    RGL Specialty Services, LLC Brown County $193,000
    Merchants Delivery Moving & Storage Company Racine County $170,686
    Schneider Finance, Inc. Brown County $113,750
    Auto Select, Inc., Brickner's of Wausau, Crystal Finishing Systems, Griesbach Auto Service, JX Truck Center, Kocourek Ford, Kocourek Chervolet, Kocourek Nissan Kia, Kocourek Subaru, Kocourek Wausau Imports, Mid-State Truck Service, Olson Tire & Auto Service, Inc., Roehl Transport, Inc. and Wisconsin Kenworth Marathon County $88,455
    Neesvig's, Inc. and Meyer Food Service, LLC Dane and Milwaukee Counties $54,000
    TOTAL   $619,891


     































    Construction
    Business Partner County Intent to Award
    J.H. Findorff and Son, Inc Dane County $105,082
    Mashuda Contractors, Inc., Edward Kraemer and Sons, Inc., Trierweiler Construction & Supply Company, New Berlin Grading, Inc., Capitol Underground and RelyCo, Inc. Brown, Dane, Marathon,  Waukesha and Waushara Counties $37,050
    Hoffman Construction Company, Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, Musson Brothers, Mashuda Contractors, Inc. and Dolson, Inc. Dane, Green Lake, Jackson, Oneida and Portage Counties $6,384
    TOTAL $148,516


     







    GRAND TOTAL $ 3,985,598