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 |