Dear Governor Snyder:

Ben's Soft Pretzels is a business based in Indiana and is rapidly growing into several states. We have entered Michigan in several markets including Alpena, Michigan.

At the time we were looking for staff to fill positions in our bakeries, I reached out to the MiWorks office in Alpena. To say that this organization was helpful would be an understatement. All members of the office were friendly, open to our needs, and went out of their way to assist us in finding the people we needed to make our new Ben's Soft Pretzels bakery a success.

The representative I worked most closely with was Ms. Bernadette Schuelke. Ms. Schuelke assisted me with job posting, employee requirement, resume searches, career fair registration and participation, and interview space. We were fortunate enough to find a Bakery Manager through MiWorks. We were also able to take advantage of the On-the-Job Training support MiWorks offers.

Without the assistance of MiWorks, I am certain our search for a manager and team members would have been far more challenging.

My thanks to the State of Michigan and to MiWorks for being so business friendly and supportive for new businesses coming into untested markets within the state."

"Dear Governor Snyder:

I am writing to share our appreciation of the NE Michigan Works offices and related Workforce Development System.

Springs Window Fashions is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer and has thirteen facilities world-wide to manufacture and assemble window treatments and interior shutters under the brands Bali, Graber, and Nanik. Our Grayling plant exclusively processes wood and is the largest North American purchaser and processor of basswood. We annually produce millions of feet of wood window blind and interior shutter components. We are the City of Graylings's largest for-profit employer.

Since coming to Grayling in 2003, Springs has increased its workforce to keep pace with our successful product lines. In spite of reports of large numbers of unemployed workers, it has been a challenge to find, recruit, and retain qualified workers. The Grayling, Prudenville and Gayford Michigan Works teams--particularly AnnaMarie Reno, Brenda Bachelder, and Kathy Bradley--have selflessly contributed their time and energy in our efforts to grow, and we are now over 100 associates strong and growing.

Since August, I have participated in two Michigan Works Job Fairs; each netted a significant applicant pool. Using the internet, we draw hourly candidates from nine northern Lower Peninsula counties. Many of these candidates apply on-line at the Michigan Works offices in Grayling, Prudenville, and Gayford. At each, Michigan Works staff provides assistance to the "computer challenged" candidates and explain our job descriptions and expectations. Michigan Works staff has toured our operations and are familiar with our work environment and expectations. I consider them valuable recruiting partners.

Over one-third of our associates are military veterans or active National Guard or Reservists. Our local Michigan Works staff helps us continue to seek and hire vets and intervenes to help resolve veteran-specific issues.

Your administration is clearly listening and responding to the needs of Michigan employers, and we truly appreciate your efforts and the progress you have made. AnnaMarie Reno, Brenda Bachelder, and Kathy Bradley exemplify the spirit of your efforts to bring Michigan back to the prominence it once held in manufacturing.

Thank you for your leadership on behalf of business employers within our great state. Please visit us at your convenience; it would be our pleasure to give you a tour of our facility and introduce you to our associates."

"Dear Governor Snyder:

I would like to take a moment to personally thank you for the support of the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and Mr. Dave Droste’s work in organizing a Student Career Expo at Rogers City High School on Friday, November 4, 2016. This was a magnificent occasion for students to further their knowledge of career opportunities. As future employers I certainly appreciated the sharing of expectations of impending employees, be it technical education programs, networking, and skills in education or interesting career pathways to pursue. Student questions were answered thoroughly. I know I always learn something new with this type of presentation. This variety of opportunity only enhances and builds on the career education knowledge students learn in classroom presentations.

Thank you for your generous support of the Michigan Works! Programs that share their gifts of time, talent and career knowledge with students. This informational program was valued by both students and the Rogers City High School staff. I am truly appreciative and grateful for this opportunity for my students. Thank you!"