Michigan Works Regional Reorganization Announced

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WHTC) – Michigan Works offices in Allegan and Ottawa counties will fall under a regional umbrella on October 1^st. A common board made up of representatives of those two counties, along with Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon and Montcalm counties, as well as the city of Grand Rapids, will oversee a single West Michigan Works department aimed at job training and placement. Agency officials cite employment trends that see about half of the region’s workforce commutes to work outside of the county where they live. No offices are to close, and no staff cuts are projected as a result of this regionalization. Spring Lake’s Jacob Maas will be the CEO of the regional agency.