Governor Granholm Announces $100,000 Contribution by The Grainger Foundation
LANSING, MI, Oct. 7, 2008 - On September 15, Governor Jennifer M.
Granholm announced that The Grainger Foundation will donate $100,000 to the State of Michigan's No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) initiative and Michigan Technical Education Centers (M-TEC) near Grainger facilities. The donation is being made based upon the recommendation of the branch managers of the local Grainger branches near the education centers.
The gift will support training and education for NWLB students as they pursue careers in high-demand and emerging trade occupations, such as alternative energy maintenance and development, and more traditional fields like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
"Grainger's commitment to Michigan is extraordinary," Granholm said. "It is precisely this kind of public/private partnership and investment in NWLB scholarships for emerging-sector businesses that will help us train highly- skilled workers for jobs in the 21st century economy."
The grant will provide $70,000 to sponsor NWLB training for students in specific programs at certain Michigan community colleges' M-TEC facilities, and $30,000 for developing and enhancing training programs in alternative energy.
Grainger, a local business-to-business distributor or facilities maintenance supplies, has a long history of giving back to the communities where it operates. Grainger has been an active member of the Michigan community over 70 years, and has supported communities across the state in a variety of ways. The local managers look forward to identifying additional ways to partner with the local colleges and the NWLB initiative through potential participation in M-TEC advisory boards, job fairs and other training events for displaced workers.
"We are proud to support this important initiative to reinvigorate the Michigan workforce," said Octavia Matthews, Regional Branch Services Vice President. "Grainger is excited to help with the retraining of workers throughout Michigan so they are well prepared as they pursue jobs in the skilled trades."
The NWLB initiative is Governor Granholm's plan to train 100,000 citizens in three years for jobs in high demand occupations, emerging industries, and
entrepreneurial endeavors. NWLB provides up to two years of free tuition at
any Michigan community college, university, or other approved training program for qualifying participants.
The second year of NWLB features the Green Jobs Initiative, a $6 million investment in training for jobs in alternative energy industries including wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal energy, and other green industries.
"Grainger deserves our thanks for stepping up to help their Michigan neighbors get the training they need to find good jobs, and for supporting the industries of Michigan's future," said Keith W. Cooley, Director of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth. "Grainger's generous investment will give an added boost to Governor Granholm's Green Jobs Initiative, helping us train people in the new technologies vital to our future green economy."
About Grainger:
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2007 sales of $6.4 billion, is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China.
Through a highly integrated network including more than 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger's employees help customers get the job done. More information about Grainger and its local community involvement is available at www.grainger.com/community.
For more information about Grainger, contact Vernon O'Donnell at 847-535-
4393 or Vernon.O'donnell@grainger.com
