This EDA investment supports alpena community college with developing its utility technology training program to train the next generation of power linemen serving utilities across the region

The Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration awarded Alpena Community College $3.125 million on October 1, 2025, under the Investments for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities program (CFDA 11.300) to develop a Utility Technology Training Program in Alpena, Michigan.

The program will train power linemen in all aspects of power systems maintenance and construction. The project includes constructing steel training towers, a substation, and steel utility poles to provide practical hands-on training reflecting the evolving needs of electrical grids' capacity and reliability. Regional utilities are a major employer in northeast Michigan, and the trained workforce will serve utilities across the region.

The award obligates $3.125 million with a period of performance through February 1, 2029. Work is performed in Alpena, MI 49707. The Public Works program provides catalytic investments to help distressed communities build critical infrastructure and facilities that support regional development strategies and bottom-up economic development goals. This workforce development project is evaluated on the extent to which it incorporates workforce project requirements, including job placement expectations and employer commitments relative to regional capacity.

Regional utilities are a large employer in the northeast michigan region and are a significant workforce throughout the state. The new program will train linemen in all aspects of power systems maintenance and construction. In addition, the project work includes constructing steel training towers, a substation, and steel utility poles to provide practical hands-on training that reflects the evolving needs of the electrical grids? Capacity and reliability. Once completed, the project will boost the local economy, which will stabilize and strengthen the regional economy.