HERE ARE 5 Michigan Current Events:
1. May 6, 2008 – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG) today awarded $3,043,669 through the No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) training initiative to the 25 Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs). The funding will be used to provide customized job training for individuals participating in the Jobs, Education, and Training (JET) Program.
"Providing targeted job training for our displaced workers will help ensure their success in getting good-paying jobs," Granholm said. "A highly skilled workforce is key in transforming Michigan's economy."
Governor Granholm announced the NWLB initiative on August 1, 2007; an ambitious plan to train 100,000 citizens in three years for jobs in high demand occupations and emerging industries or entrepreneurial endeavors. NWLB gives Michigan workers the opportunity to acquire the skills they need to win good-paying jobs in today's global economy. By reorganizing and augmenting federal funds currently used for workforce development, NWLB will provide up to two years of free tuition at any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program for qualifying participants. The governor has asked the Michigan legislature to appropriate $40M of state funds in order to train enough eligible workers to help diversify and re-energize Michigan's economy.
The JET Program is a partnership between DHS, DLEG (the Bureau of Workforce Transformation and Michigan Rehabilitation Services), and the MWAs to help Michigan's families overcome barriers to work and connect them with the kind of jobs, education, and training opportunities that will help them achieve self-sufficiency and meet the workforce and skill needs of Michigan's businesses. The JET Program was designed to give MWAs more flexibility in providing services to cash assistance participants.
Funding for the JET Program is provided by the State of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A table is attached that provides the specific funding amounts for each MWA. To view an interactive map of the state's 25 Michigan Works! regions and the counties included in each region, go to http://www.michiganworks.org or www.michigan.gov/jet.
The DLEG is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.
JET
NWLB Training Funds
Fiscal Year 2008
Michigan Works ! Agency
($)
Area Community Services Employment and Training (ACSET) Council
176,068
Michigan Works! Berrien-Cass-Van Buren
84,508
Calhoun Intermediate School District
108,909
Capital Area Michigan Works!
116,224
Career Alliance, Inc.
287,490
Central Area Michigan Works! Consortium
60,801
Detroit Workforce Development Department, A Michigan Works! Agency
791,511
Eastern Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
12,021
Michigan Works! the Job Force Board/Six County Employment Alliance
30,842
Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works!
100,831
Livingston County Michigan Works!
7,097
Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!
159,902
Muskegon/Oceana Consortium
132,792
Northeast Michigan Consortium
34,455
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments
48,560
Oakland County Michigan Works! Workforce Development Division
151,442
Ottawa County Michigan Works!/Community Action Agency
18,993
Michigan Works! Region 7B Employment and Training Consortium
47,189
Saginaw-Midland-Bay Michigan Works!
170,555
South Central Michigan Works!
70,407
Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) Michigan Works!
275,347
Thumb Area Michigan Works! Employment Training Consortium
41,125
Washtenaw County Michigan Works!/Employment Training and Community Services Group
53,996
Michigan Works! West Central
44,382
Western Upper Peninsula Michigan Works!
18,222
Total
$3,043,669
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2. Work is progressing on I-75 across the Zilwaukee Bridge in Saginaw County
Contact: Anita Richardson 989-754-0878, ext. 227
Agency: Transportation
May 6, 2008 -- Work is progressing on I-75 across the Zilwaukee Bridge in Saginaw County. The work to replace the three-foot-diameter bridge bearings, which closed the northbound I-75 lanes, was suspended in early April when work crews unexpectedly nicked several reinforcing steel bars in the bridge.
"We are now erecting a steel reinforcement on the exterior of this bridge beam to ensure that the structural integrity of the bridge remains sound," said Louie Taylor, MDOT Delivery Engineer.
The work on the bridge bearings is necessary to allow the bridge spans to expand and contract properly in changing weather.
"MDOT consulted with design engineers and national experts to determine the most appropriate and safest solution," said MDOT Region Engineer Tony Kratofil. "We are now implementing that solution and will then re-open the bridge for summer tourist traffic."
Midwest Bridge Co., of Williamston, Michigan, the contractor for this $3.3 million project, will place the exterior steel reinforcement.
Portable message boards are in place to alert motorists to the lane closures and traffic detour in effect. Motorists traveling northbound on I-75 are advised to use I-675 as an alternate route for the duration of this project. This project will improve safety for motorists traveling I-75.
For up-to-date information on this project, go to the list of statewide lane closures on MDOT's Web site at www.michigan.gov/laneclosures.
Protect Michigan families: Where Workers Present Drive 45! - A message from MDOT and Michigan's Give 'em a Brake Safety Coalition
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3. 2008 Elk and Bear Hunting Application Period Now Open
Contact: Rodney Clute or Adam Bump 517-373-1263
Agency: Natural Resources
May 5, 2008
The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that the Michigan elk and bear hunting license application period is now open, and hunters can apply for those licenses through June 1.
There will be 330 elk and 12,993 bear hunting licenses available for the 2008 hunting seasons.
Only Michigan residents are eligible to apply for an elk license. Bear licenses are available for both residents and non-residents; however, no more than two percent of licenses in any bear management unit will be issued to non-residents. Hunters may apply online at www.michigan.gov/dnr, at any authorized license agent, or at a DNR Operations Service Center. A nonrefundable $4 fee is charged at the time of application.
Applicants may call 517-373-1263 prior to June 1 for assistance with their application and may check the drawing results online at the DNR Web site beginning June 23 for elk and June 30 for bear. See the 2008 Michigan Elk and Bear Hunting Guides for more details about the application processes.
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4. Governor Announces Finalists for the 2008 Governor's Service Awards
Lansing, Michigan - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced finalists for the 2008 Governor's Service Awards who will be honored next month during ceremonies at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The 40 finalists have been selected from nearly 180 individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations from across the state who were nominated for their commitment to volunteer service.
"Michigan's volunteer heroes give of their time and talent without thought of praise or recognition," Granholm said. "The value of volunteers and their impact on local communities is highlighted by the willingness of Michigan's corporate leaders to step forward and sponsor this event. We are grateful for the volunteers and the support of our sponsors."
Governor Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern will honor the finalists during an awards ceremony entitled, "A Night with the Stars," on Thursday, June 19, at the Fox Theatre in Detroit. The 2008 Governor's Service Awards will be a theatre-style event highlighting award presentations and featuring performances by Michigan musical artists and performers, all paying tribute to the honorees.
In addition to recognizing the Governor's Service Award recipients in eight categories, Governor Granholm will also present the Carter Partnership Award, the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy, and the Community Foundation Award for Philanthropy.
The Governor's Service Awards are an annual statewide recognition event acknowledging the contributions made by Michigan volunteers. This celebration is made possible only through the generous contributions of its sponsors. To date, the Ford Motor Company Fund is the Platinum Sponsor. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a Premier Sponsor; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan/Accident Fund and MASCO Corporation Foundation are Pacesetters; CMS Energy, Council of Michigan Foundations, Lear Corporation, Meijer, and Michigan Nonprofit Association are Governor's Champions; and Comer Holdings, Health Alliance Plan, and Hudson-Webber Foundation are Governor's Heroes.
The behind-the-scenes work for this prestigious event is managed by the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), which is chaired by First Gentleman Mulhern. The MCSC is a state agency committed to building a culture of volunteer service to strengthen communities. It is part of the Michigan Department of Human Services.
To purchase tickets to atte