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ALPENA — Target Huron Economic Development Corporation is proud to announce the launch of the Target Huron RISE Initiative, a $100,000 regional workforce development program designed to prepare high school juniors and seniors for successful careers, entrepreneurship opportunities, and long-term economic success in Northeast Michigan.

RISE–short for Readiness, Integration, Skill Development, and Employment–creates a structured pathway that connects students to real-world skills, industry-recognized credentials, and meaningful employment opportunities before graduation. The program will serve students across Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Iosco, and Presque Isle counties, helping address one of the region’s most pressing challenges: developing and retaining a skilled workforce.

The initiative also directly supports Target Huron’s third economic development pillar: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development.

“The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to partner with Target Huron on the RISE Initiative because it builds a strong, intentional bridge between education and employment,” said Paige Fisher, President and CEO of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. “Through our Northeast Michigan Mentorship Cohort, we are working directly with entrepreneurs and growing businesses who consistently tell us that workforce is one of their biggest challenges. This initiative creates real opportunities for those businesses to connect with students through internships, work-based learning, and future employment. We’re especially looking forward to seeing the long-term impact of this investment over the next two years and how it helps strengthen both our workforce and our small business community.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of Northeast Michigan’s economy,” said Lenny Avery, Executive Director of Target Huron. “When we talk about supporting entrepreneurs and helping businesses grow, we cannot separate that conversation from workforce development. A business can have customers, capital, and opportunity, but without a skilled workforce, growth becomes difficult. RISE is designed to address that challenge by creating a pipeline of talented young people who are ready to contribute on day one.”

Across the region, small businesses consistently identify workforce availability as one of their greatest barriers to growth. Employers often struggle to find workers with strong communication skills, workplace professionalism, problem-solving abilities, and the foundational competencies necessary to succeed in today’s economy. At the same time, many students graduate without a clear understanding of local career opportunities or pathways into entrepreneurship.

The RISE Initiative bridges that gap.

“One of the greatest strengths we have in Northeast Michigan is the outstanding work already being done through Career and Technical Education programs, particularly at Alpena High School,” said Tammy Kline, Small Business Development Director for Target Huron. “CTE programs are proving that students thrive when they can connect classroom learning to real-world careers. The RISE Initiative builds upon that success by expanding access to workforce and entrepreneurship-focused credentials across nine school districts throughout our region. Over the next two years, we anticipate reaching more than 2,400 students, helping them develop the communication, business, and professional skills employers need while creating a stronger workforce pipeline for local businesses and industries.”

Through a progression model that emphasizes career readiness, real-world application, industry-recognized certifications, and employment connections, students gain practical skills that directly align with employer needs. Certifications in areas such as Entrepreneurship & Small Business and Professional Communication provide measurable validation of student competencies while preparing them for careers in both established businesses and future entrepreneurial ventures.

For small businesses, the benefits are significant. A stronger workforce pipeline means reduced onboarding costs, increased productivity, improved employee retention, and greater capacity for expansion. It also helps ensure that local businesses can continue serving their communities while remaining competitive in a rapidly changing economy.

The program further strengthens the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by exposing students to business ownership, innovation, and opportunity recognition. Students interested in launching their own ventures will have access to foundational business education and may eventually connect with Target Huron’s broader small business support network, creating a seamless pathway from classroom learning to entrepreneurship.

RISE represents more than a workforce program–it is a long-term investment in the economic future of Northeast Michigan. By connecting education, workforce development, and small business growth, the initiative creates a system where students, employers, entrepreneurs, and communities all benefit.

“Every successful business starts with people,” Avery added. “If we want vibrant downtowns, thriving main streets, and growing local businesses, we must invest in the next generation of workers, leaders, and entrepreneurs. RISE is about building that future today.”

Target Huron will coordinate implementation, provide curriculum and certification resources, and work alongside participating school districts and community partners to ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes across the region. Program performance will be measured through enrollment, certifications earned, completion rates, employment outcomes, and employer feedback to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.