Great Lakes Boat Building School Lands Grant for Marine Equipment

The Board of Directors and leadership of Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) were recently notified of the approval of a $354,600 Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) awarded by the United States Department of Agriculture. The school applied for the support as part of their “Enhancing Education with Equipment” (EEE) campaign, a top priority at GLBBS to provide their students with new marine equipment and technology for skilled trades training. GLBBS is the only marine trades institution in the Great Lakes region.

The grant funding comes at a very opportune time as GLBBS enrollment has increased to 29 students, the largest class in the school’s history. New marine equipment and technology are required to deliver more advanced Mercury University certification levels. GLBBS would be the second marine trades institution in the country to offer this much needed training. The other institution is in Florida. Also, due to demand from the industry, GLBBS is offering industry relevant Ilmor Engineering and Volvo Penta diesel curriculum which requires additional specialized training. Graduates with these certifications will help address the dire workforce shortage in Michigan’s marine industry.

To date, Volvo Penta, Ilmor Engineering, the Marine Leadership Alliance, Gage Marine, National Marine Distributors Association, and Interstate Power Systems have provided in-kind or monetary support. Inquiries can be made at thomas.coates@glbbs.edu or by calling (906) 484-1081.