Chris Holman speaks with Jodi Nichols, Program Manager, The Right Place, Inc. and Executive Director at Lake County Economic Alliance. The Right Place provides outsourced Econ Dev services to rural West Michigan counties such as Lake County, MI.
Watch Jodi share with Chris about the Talent Pathways Initiative in the YouTube video shared below:
Talent Pathways initiative is a $540,000 grant from the MEDC to The Right Place that aims to help West Michigan advanced manufacturing and technology companies attract & retain talent.
As many as 20 companies have until Feb. 16 to apply for up to $25,000 in funding to offset career training costs
Key Points: As many as 20 advanced manufacturing and technology companies throughout West Michigan will have the opportunity to secure up to $25,000 in funding that, among other things, will help lower-wage employees earn career-building industry certifications and training. The $540,000 Regional Talent Innovation Grant was awarded recently by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to Grand Rapids economic development agency
The Right Place, Inc.. Grant applications will be accepted February 2 through February 16.
Also on February 2, The Right Place will conduct an informational webinar for potential applicants. Webinar registration details can be found here. The Right Place was awarded the funding to implement its program to companies who work in the advanced manufacturing and technology sectors in the counties of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa.
Applications will go live on The Right Place website (rightplace.org/talentpathways) on February 2, 2022.
To apply for consideration, companies must submit an online application by February 16.
Applications will be reviewed and awarded by March 1.
Jodi Nichols
Executive Director, Lake County Economic Development Alliance | Program Manager
Jodi serves as the Executive Director of the Lake County Economic Development Alliance. In this role, she provides business support services to prospective and existing companies. She works to improve the overall economic state of Lake County through business retention, expansion, and attraction. She is currently the Interim Executive Director of the Oceana County Economic Alliance, as well.
Past Experience
Prior to joining The Right Place, Jodi spent more than 20 years doing community development work with non-profit organizations in West Michigan. She’s worked with United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Girl Scouts, and has held various leadership positions including serving as an Executive Director, Director of Development, Director of Fundraising & Marketing, and more.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration | Grand Valley State University
Certifications
- Non-Profit Fundraising Executive Certificate | Indiana University, Lilly School of Philanthropy
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Redevelopment Ready Communities Certification
- MEDC Certified Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Grant Administrator
Community Involvement
- Geo Group North Lake Facility Community Affairs Council
- Lake County Habitat for Humanity Fundraising Committee
- Oceana College Access Network Leadership Committee
- United Way of the Lakeshore Oceana County Committee Member and Board Representative
Notable Projects
The Right Place, Inc.
- Peterson Farms Expansion (Shelby Twp.), Addition of four new product lines, 50+ new jobs, $22M Capital Investment including $1M CDBG Grant (2020)
- Baldwin Brownfield Redevelopment, $260,000 EGLE grant for demolition and remediation of blight property, developed into $1M retail space. (2020)
United Way of the Lakeshore
- Community fundraising campaigns of $2.4 million annually
- Brought Employer Resource Network services to Muskegon area businesses
- Launched the A.L.I.C.E initiative for workforce programming in Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties
Muskegon County Habitat for Humanity
- Led the development of $2.6 million in workforce housing
- Tripled the size and revenue of the retail program
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