PHOTOS: Peters Stops in Grand Rapids on Day 5 of 10th and Final Motorcycle Tour

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) visited the new Automation Lab at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) during his annual motorcycle tour across Michigan. Peters highlighted the $998,000 in federal funding he secured to create the Automation Lab and strengthen GRCC's regional workforce development efforts. The fully automated facility serves as a training hub for students pursuing high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing and automation, as well as those already working in the field who need additional training or credentials for promotion. This effort is part of Peters' long legacy of fighting to strengthen Michigan's robust manufacturing sector, expand skills training opportunities, and help place more Michiganders in good paying, in demand jobs.

"GRCC excels at preparing students to get good-paying, in-demand jobs right out of school," said Senator Peters. "This state-of-the-art and fully automated training facility will not only strengthen those courses, but also GRCC's efforts to connect students with local employers ahead of graduation to help keep that talent in Michigan. This level of dedication and community investment is remarkable, and why I was proud to help secure nearly $1 million in federal funding to build the new lab."

Peters toured GRCC's new, state-of-the-art training facility with GRCC Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Sheila Jones, GRCC Professor John Doneth, Ingrid Tighe, President of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, and Cody Langlois, a graduate of GRCC's Manufacturing & Applied Technology Program. During the tour, GRCC staff led Peters through demonstrations of cutting-edge robotics equipment that will be used for classroom instruction for the first time this fall semester.

"My experience at GRCC gave me the hands-on skills I needed to prepare for a good-paying career in advanced manufacturing right here in West Michigan," said Cody Langlois, a graduate of GRCC's Manufacturing & Applied Technology Program and current employee at JR Automation. "I'm grateful to Senator Peters for supporting GRCC and helping to secure the federal funding for this new lab. His support is creating opportunities for the next generation of Michigan manufacturing workers, and I'm excited to see other students come through this lab and find the same kind of opportunity that GRCC helped provide for me."

"I applaud Senator Peters for his steadfast, unwavering commitment to American manufacturing," said Ingrid Tighe, President of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, the Michigan representative of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "The investment in this critical program will not only support students but countless manufacturers in the region who need good talent to grow and thrive. In addition to supporting this project, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center appreciates everything Senator Peters has done to support our state's robust manufacturing sector and set Michigan workers up for success."

To view photos from Senator Peters' stop in Grand Rapids, click HERE.

Peters has consistently prioritized investing in American manufacturing and workforce development. Peters helped author and pass into law the CHIPS and Science Act to boost U.S. manufacturing of semiconductor chips, strengthen critical domestic supply chains, and create good-paying American jobs. The CHIPS and Science Act additionally increased funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, which supports MEPs like the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC). Peters helped enact bipartisan legislation that expanded access to career and technical education (CTE) opportunities outside of the traditional four-year degree career pathway. Peters also introduced bipartisan legislation that was signed into law to allow more veterans to use their GI bill benefits toward securing a registered apprenticeship.

Peters - an avid and longtime motorcycle rider - kicked off his "Thank you, Michigan" tour in Bay City. He then made stops in Alpena, Marquette, Traverse City, and Grand Rapids, before he will conclude the tour in East Lansing. He will ride more than 1,000 miles across the state on this year's tour - which is Peters' 10^th and last official motorcycle tour.

"I've always said the best way to travel across our state is on a motorcycle," Peters said. "Representing Michigan in the U.S. Senate has been the absolute honor of my lifetime. So, this year's tour is about saying thank you to all of the amazing people and communities I've been able to partner with during my career to help make Michigan an amazing place to work, live, and raise a family."

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