Charting Michigan’s bright future
Enbridge’s Lauren Brown presents a check to GLBB’s development director Tom Coates to support the school’s important work.
Boating program receives grant from Enbridge
April 3, 2024
A Michigan school with a mission of charting a course for future generations of marine crafters and technicians recently received a grant to support its efforts.
Important to preserving the culture and heritage of the eastern Upper Peninsula’s island communities, the Great Lakes Boat Building School received from Enbridge a $15,000 Fueling Futures grant to help the organization continue its good work and to purchase new marine equipment and technology.
With more than 691,000 jobs available in the industry, marine jobs are in high demand.
To help meet the demand, the school offers 12-month programs in either Comprehensive Career Boat Building or Marine Service Technology.
Graduates of the respective programs often secure jobs with boat and yacht manufacturers, maintenance facilities or high-end woodworking shops; or as technicians at marinas, marine dealerships, boat repair yards or marine manufacturing facilities.
“We appreciate Enbridge’s ongoing support,” said Tom Coates, the School’s development director.
“It’s a partnership built on a shared value of our heritage and waterways and the efforts to prepare future generations of marine workers.”
Lauren Brown, Enbridge community engagement advisor who presented the check at a March 22 ceremony, echoes Coates’ sentiment.
“The boat-building school was born from the culture of this community,” said Brown.
“Our partnership reflects a shared commitment to safety, Michigan’s heritage and protection of the Great Lakes. We are proud to continue to support the School and its efforts to educate future marine workers.”
“There is a rich history here that’s based on the wooden boat culture, Native Americans and immigrants who settled in this area. You can see from the shoreline how beautiful and magical this area is. It touches your heart.”
—Lauren Brown, Enbridge’s community engagement manager in northern Michigan
It’s a natural fit that the school is in Cedarville, which has a prevalence of wooden boats.
Brown notes that the wooden boats are charming, as well as essential for those living in cottages to navigate the channels in the islands.
The wooden boats are synonymous enough with the islands that Les Cheneaux, west of Cedarville, hosts an annual Antique Wooden Boat Show. Drawing more than 150 classic boats to the region, it’s the largest show of its kind in the world.
Natural beauty to be enjoyed, treasured and preserved
Michiganders and those who travel across the globe to visit the region often are in awe of the Great Lakes area.
“Boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the beauty of the shoreline and the pristine nature of the Great Lakes,” said Brown, a native of the region.
Enbridge’s Lauren Brown with her daughter Violet take in the scenic waterways of Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula.
“Enbridge also appreciates the Great Lakes and the need to safeguard and preserve their beauty.”
That’s one of the reasons Enbridge is planning to build the Great Lakes Tunnel.
To be constructed deep under the lakebed of the Straits of Mackinac, the Tunnel will house Enbridge’s Line 5, reducing the chance of a spill to virtually zero and preserving the health and safety of the Great Lakes.
Learn more about the Great Lakes Boat Building School.
