Grand Traverse, Crawford, and Roscommon County businesses, employees celebrated at Michigan Capitol for the Michigan Works! Impact Awards

LANSING- State leaders this week recognized the economic achievements of Michigan businesses and their employees 2024 Michigan Works! Impact Awards at the Michigan Capitol. The Northern Michigan honorees included Roscommon County Road Commission headquartered in Prudenville, River House, Inc. in Grayling, and TentCraft in Traverse City.

“The Impact Awards showcase the impressive workforce development achievements that take place in partnership with the Michigan Works!’ network each year,” said Ryan Hundt, CEO of Michigan Works! Association. “These successes reinforce the role our network plays in transforming our workforce and the lives of Michiganders. Congratulations to all the honorees!”

Michigan Works! Region 7B Consortium nominated the Roscommon County Road Commission for their Summer Apprentice Program that made it possible for apprentices to work on road projects throughout the area.

Lou Tomma became an apprentice at the Roscommon County Road Commission, and it was life-changing for him. Michigan Works! Region 7B’s Roscommon County Service Center assisted him in getting his CDL-A. He was honored for persevering through roadblocks and received his certificate in January 2023.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium nominated River House, Inc., a nonprofit agency that serves victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, for continuously helping employees achieve their goals. River House Thrift Store employee Aubrey Zawacky was facing many barriers when she began working with the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium team. With guidance and encouragement from her Michigan Works! Career Advisors, Aubrey made steady, continual strides in accomplishing her goals. She was honored for her hard work and focus as she accomplished all her goals.

Northwest Michigan Works! nominated TentCraft, a veteran-owned small business with a tradition of high-quality, innovative American manufacturing based in Traverse City.

After arriving in the U.S. Qayum Qayumi and his spouse, Habiba, sought support from Northwest Michigan Works!. They received essential support, including transportation assistance, during their transition to living in the United States which led to a position as a sewing operator at TentCraft.

Even though he’s happily employed at TentCraft, Qayum remains determined to leverage his technical expertise and eventually start his own business. He even presented his future business, Quick Quality Alterations, at a local small business pitch event, inspiring the audience with his entrepreneurial spirit.

West Central Michigan Works! nominated Foreway Transportation employee Brandon Nowak who overcame obstacles after incarceration. Michigan Works! supported Nowak in obtaining his GED and enrolling in a truck driving training program. He earned his CDL and reached his goal of obtaining a job as a full-time over-the-road driver in July 2023 at Foreway Transportation.

The Impact Awards, held April 17th, celebrated the economic impact of newly created jobs, transformational training, and effective talent pipeline development within our communities. Honorees from across the state received awards highlighted by their local lawmakers and state workforce development officials.

Employers and job seekers can find the nearest Michigan Works! Service Center by visiting https://www.michiganworks.org/michigan-works-network or by calling (1 800) 285-WORKS (9675).

About Michigan Works!: Established in 1987, the Michigan Works! Association fosters high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's workforce development system.  For more information, please visit www.michiganworks.org.