Heinzman Advocates for Workforce Training Funding at National Skills Summit in Washington, D.C.

Hastings, MI — May 12, 2025 — Jennifer Heinzman, President and CEO of the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance, joined a 13-person delegation—including several representatives from West Michigan Works!—at the National Skills Summit held in Washington, D.C. last week. The delegation convened with policymakers to advocate for the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the expansion of Business Pell Grants, both of which are vital to sustaining and growing workforce development programs across Michigan and the nation.

WIOA, the cornerstone of the nation’s public workforce system, provides critical funding for job training, apprenticeships, and career services that help workers gain in-demand skills and connect with employers. In Michigan, programs supported by WIOA and Business Pell Grants have enabled thousands of residents to access better-paying jobs, while helping businesses address talent shortages.

“These programs aren’t just line items in a budget—they are lifelines for rural communities like Barry County,” said Heinzman. “Cutting or failing to reauthorize them would directly harm local employers and workers, especially as we face ongoing labor shortages and a rapidly evolving economy.”

The delegation’s advocacy comes at a critical time. Congress is considering a reauthorization of WIOA after a previous attempt narrowly missed passage. Meanwhile, proposed budget cuts threaten to reduce funding for workforce programs, with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration already seeing $183 million in reductions to key workforce initiatives.

In Barry County, the potential loss of federal workforce funding would have immediate and detrimental effects. Programs that provide training in skilled trades, healthcare, manufacturing, and digital literacy could be scaled back or eliminated, leaving employers without qualified candidates and residents without pathways to economic mobility.

“We’re already seeing the impact of workforce programs like the Going PRO Talent Fund, which awarded $60.5 million statewide last year to train over 38,000 workers . Without continued federal support, we risk losing that momentum,” Heinzman added.

Heinzman and her colleagues emphasized that workforce development is not a partisan issue but a shared priority for economic growth. They urged lawmakers to fully fund WIOA and expand Business Pell Grants to include short-term, high-quality training programs that meet the needs of today’s labor market.

“We’re asking Congress to invest in people—our workers, our businesses, and our communities,” said Heinzman. “The return on that investment is clear: stronger local economies, reduced unemployment, and a more competitive national workforce.”

For more information about the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance’s workforce initiatives, visit www.mibarry.com.