Workforce and Education

Workforce and education are a critical focus in order to grow jobs in Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region.
 
The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce will work in partnership with the Business Education Partnership, the Saginaw Intermediate School District and others to provide the curriculum to allow students to successfully move through K-12 and into a post high school program; whether that is a traditional college or university or into the skilled trades.  We will engage where it most benefits Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region.  We must make skilled trade programs available at the high school level to fill the tremendous shortage business is facing.
 
We support funding for workforce training, funding for Skilled Trades Programs throughout Saginaw County, this region and Michigan to provide the equipment, materials and the teachers to build these programs.
 
We support funding K-12, early childhood education and policies that will strengthen education.
 

• We support the Governor’s proposed K-12 spending budget. Per pupil foundation grants would rise by $75 million under the governor’s budget proposal, which would increase classroom spending by about $108 million.  The budget also includes $75 million to rehabilitate distressed districts, $30 million for districts that meet “best practice” standards and $2 million for a third-grade reading initiative.  We support these proposals and must address child literacy to help students succeed.

• We support a working collaboration between Saginaw Public Schools and the State of Michigan to improve the attendance and education goals students need to meet in order to be successful.  We also strongly encourage an open, honest dialogue about consolidating the enrollment of both high schools.  (**this decision may be made by the Office of School Reform.) 

• We support making Skilled Trade Programs a top priority for Saginaw County, the Great Lakes Bay Region and Michigan to fill a critical void and provide careers to those residents not wanting or needing a 4-year degree to find a rewarding career that pays well.

• We support the Downtown Saginaw Delta College Annex.  This $14 million project will not only help in terms of revitalizing Downtown Saginaw, but connects a great community college more closely with Saginaw Public Schools.  It will be located at a major transportation hub (public transit and direct access from I-75/I-675) attracting students from the region and beyond. 

• We fully support efforts underway at Saginaw Valley State University for proposed capital improvements. The plan would expand the existing College of Business and Management at Saginaw Valley State University. The $17.5 million project, of which $9.8 million is being requested from the state, will create an environment where the community’s business leaders can collaborate with faculty and students. It will establish state-of-the-art facilities and student-centered laboratory spaces that will attract high quality students to Michigan and the region. The 40,000 sq. ft. expansion will offer support, mentorship, idea creation, incubation, business development and economic growth in the region.

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• We will support efforts to retain skilled trades, community college and 4-year college/university graduates in the Great Lakes Bay Region.  Saginaw County relies on these trained students to fill the gap in skilled trades, the medical field and in engineering. 

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Questions about policy statementments can be directed to Veronica Horn at 989-757-2113.