Networks Northwest

Networks Northwest Networks Northwest
Serving the 10 counties of Northwest Michigan since 1974.

We support workforce, business, and community development through programs like Northwest Michigan Works!, APEX Accelerator, and more — all driven by local needs. Networks Northwest delivers programs and services for the 10 counties of Northwest Michigan. Our primary service categories are: workforce development; business & economic development; and community development. Networks Northwest is the convening agency for the Regional Prosperity Initiative in these ten counties.

LABOR DAY OFFICE CLOSUREThe Networks Northwest office will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.We’...
09/04/2026

LABOR DAY OFFICE CLOSURE

The Networks Northwest office will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

We’ll reopen and return to our normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8.

Have questions or need information about our services? Visit networksnorthwest.org anytime.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Labor Day!

09/04/2026

🚪 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS… OPENING A DOOR.

Not everyone starts their career journey in the same place.

Meet Asia, a 2026 Northwest Michigan Works! Adult Education graduate who earned her GED in just three months—while overcoming a terrifying car accident during pregnancy, postpartum recovery and the demands of raising three children.

She stayed the course. And now, she’s opening the next door: nursing school. 💙

As Asia says:
“It’s never too late to show up for yourself, and it is never ever too late to make yourself proud.”

That’s what workforce development can look like. A credential. A new opportunity. A path forward.

And sometimes, it starts by simply opening a door.

🎓 Ready to open your next door? Learn more about Northwest Michigan Works! Adult Education and how you can get started.

👉 Learn more about Adult Education: nwm.org/learninglabs

🎉 Congratulations to Mathew Cooke on being named a 2026 40 Under 40 recipient!We’re proud to celebrate Mathew Cooke, Com...
09/02/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Mathew Cooke on being named a 2026 40 Under 40 recipient!

We’re proud to celebrate Mathew Cooke, Community Planner at Networks Northwest, for being recognized among the region’s 40 best and brightest young leaders by the Traverse City Business News!

Now in its 20th anniversary year, 40 Under 40 recognizes individuals making an impact through professional achievement, civic involvement and leadership across northern Michigan.

Mathew’s commitment to bringing people together and making a positive impact extends well beyond his work at Networks Northwest. From his community planning work to his involvement with Special Olympics Michigan - Area 2 Basketball, Mathew continues to lead through action and help strengthen the communities he serves.

When asked what he hopes people say about him, Mathew shared that he wants to be known as someone who “brings people together (for work and play!), leads and inspires through action, and aims to have a positive impact on any community I am a part of.”

We think that says it all. 👏

Congratulations, Mathew, on this well-deserved recognition! We’re lucky to have you on the Networks Northwest team. 💙

09/01/2026

SEPTEMBER IS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MONTH.

And workforce development is… MORE THAN TRAINING.

When you hear “workforce development,” what comes to mind?

Maybe job training. A college program. An employer investing in its employees.

But workforce development is so much more.

It’s people finding pathways to careers.

It’s opportunity for people facing barriers to employment.

It’s employers finding and developing the talent they need.

It’s communities becoming stronger and more resilient.

As part of the public workforce development system, Northwest Michigan Works! connects people and employers to resources, support, training and opportunities that lead to real outcomes.

And we’re local — a nonprofit working in your community, for your community.

Throughout Workforce Development Month, we’ll be highlighting what workforce development really looks like across Northwest Michigan—and the people, businesses and communities experiencing the impact.

Because workforce development is…

People. Opportunity. Employers. Community.

Follow along this month as we show you what workforce development looks like in action.

🌟 Celebrating Cathy Schanski! 🌟Please join us in congratulating Cathy Schanski, JMG Specialist at Petoskey High School, ...
08/17/2026

🌟 Celebrating Cathy Schanski! 🌟

Please join us in congratulating Cathy Schanski, JMG Specialist at Petoskey High School, on receiving the Living Our Values Award – Authentic at Youth Solutions’ Statewide Summer Summit!

This award recognizes the honesty, vulnerability, and trust Cathy brings to her work—qualities that help her build genuine relationships and make a meaningful impact on Michigan’s youth. Cathy consistently goes above and beyond to help young people reach their full potential, combining hands-on career preparation with genuine care that makes every student feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. 💙

Congratulations, Cathy, and thank you for the heart and authenticity you bring to supporting our youth! 👏

To learn more about Cathy’s recognition and the other Networks Northwest professionals honored at the Youth Solutions Statewide Summer Summit, read our media release:
https://www.networksnorthwest.org/about-us/media/press-releases/networks-northwest-professionals-recognized-at-youth-solutions-statewide-summer-summit.html

Jobs for Michigan's Graduates

Celebrating JMG Excellence Across Northwest Michigan! 🎉Networks Northwest is proud to celebrate the incredible members o...
08/14/2026

Celebrating JMG Excellence Across Northwest Michigan! 🎉

Networks Northwest is proud to celebrate the incredible members of our Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) team who were recognized during Youth Solutions’ Annual Summer Summit in Mount Pleasant!

These awards highlight the dedication, leadership, creativity, and commitment our JMG professionals bring to helping young people build skills, overcome barriers, and prepare for successful futures.

🏆 Living Our Values Award – Authentic
Cathy Schanski, JMG Specialist at Petoskey High School, was recognized for consistently going above and beyond to help young people reach their full potential. Her genuine care, hands-on career preparation, and ability to make students feel valued and empowered exemplify what it means to live the JMG mission.

⚔️ JMG JAGForce Jedi! Award – Demonstrated Excellence Through Data
Congratulations to:
• Josh Todd, JMG Specialist and Char-EM WBL Coordinator serving East Jordan HS, Central Lake HS and Beaver Island HS
• Kali McNamara, JMG Specialist serving Boyne City HS, Crooked Tree HS and Lakeview HS

Their commitment to using data to strengthen programs and support student success demonstrates the power of informed, purposeful JMG programming.

📣 JMG Influencer Award
Eric VanVleet, JMG Specialist at CASMAN Academy, was recognized for using social media to celebrate students and share the JMG story. Through his LinkedIn presence, Eric highlights lessons learned, advocacy, programs, youth and communities while serving as a thoughtful leader and trusted voice for the work we do.

🌟 6 of 6 National Award
Congratulations to the following JMG professionals for meeting or surpassing performance standards in six critical areas: graduation, employment, full-time placement, positive outcomes, connectivity and postsecondary enrollment.

• Kali McNamara – Boyne City HS, Crooked Tree HS, Lakeview HS
• Josh Todd – East Jordan HS, Central Lake HS, Beaver Island HS
• Lisa Baldyga – Northwest Education Services CTC
• Marc Svatora – Pellston HS, Harbor Springs HS, Alanson HS
• Cathy Schanski – Petoskey HS
• LeAnne Bush – Wexford-Missaukee CTC – BBAM & WBL
• Kim Benz – Wexford-Missaukee CTC – Culinary, DMP & CTE Referrals

👏 JMG Community Service Award Winners
We also celebrate the programs recognized for going above and beyond to serve their communities and create lasting impact:

• Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center – Building Business & Marketing
• Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center – Digital Media Production
• Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center – Culinary
• Crooked Tree High School
• Central Lake High School

🎖️ JMG Milestone Award
We are especially proud to recognize professionals whose years of dedication have made a lasting difference for students, schools and communities:

• Lisa Baldyga – 5+ years of service
• Kim Benz – 5 years of service
• Tracy Beckley – 5 years of service

💙 A Special Thank You to Our JMG Partners

These accomplishments would not be possible without the incredible support of our school, career and community partners who work alongside our JMG team every day. Thank you for opening doors, providing work-based learning opportunities, supporting students, and helping young people connect what they learn in the classroom to their future careers.

Together, we are helping Northwest Michigan youth overcome barriers, build confidence and career-ready skills, and create pathways toward successful futures.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients, and thank you to Youth Solutions for recognizing the outstanding work happening across the JMG network!

Read the full media release and learn more about these accomplishments:
https://www.networksnorthwest.org/about-us/media/press-releases/networks-northwest-professionals-recognized-at-youth-solutions-statewide-summer-summit.html

🏆 TTCI Recognized with 2026 Best Practices Award!The Traverse Transportation Coordinating Initiative (TTCI) has been rec...
08/11/2026

🏆 TTCI Recognized with 2026 Best Practices Award!

The Traverse Transportation Coordinating Initiative (TTCI) has been recognized with the Michigan Transportation Planning Association’s (MTPA) Best Practices Award at the 2026 MTPA Annual Conference in Port Huron!

The award recognizes TTCI’s innovative and efficient work in establishing a new Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and completing its required planning documents and policies — including the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Unified Work Program (UWP), Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), and Public Participation Plan — in approximately nine to ten months.

📋 A process that can typically take more than a year and a half was completed on an accelerated timeline, allowing TTCI to become eligible for federal transportation funding for projects programmed from 2026–2029.

This achievement reflects TTCI’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and state and federal best practices as the organization works to support transportation planning and investment across the region.

👏 Congratulations to the TTCI team on this well-deserved recognition!

📸 Pictured at the award presentation are Networks Northwest staff Cassidy Banotai and Barry Hicks, alongside Jeff Franklin, Executive Director of the Battle Creek Area Transportation Study (BCATS) and Chair of MTPA.

🔗 Learn more about TTCI: https://www.networksnorthwest.org/community/transportation/ttci/

📣 Webinar 4 | August 12, 2026⭐ THE MICHIGAN EMPLOYER ROADMAP TO CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS ⭐Strong child care systems require ...
08/05/2026

📣 Webinar 4 | August 12, 2026
⭐ THE MICHIGAN EMPLOYER ROADMAP TO CHILD CARE SOLUTIONS ⭐

Strong child care systems require strong community and employer partnerships. Join us for the final session in this impactful webinar series focused on employer leadership and building sustainable child care ecosystems across Michigan.

🗓 August 12, 2026
⏰ 2:30 - 4:00 PM ET

🔹 Webinar 4: Building the Child Care Ecosystem
Discover the important role employers, business organizations, and community leaders play in creating lasting child care solutions.

Featuring experts from:
• Early Matters
• Early Childhood Investment Corporation
• Small Business Association of Michigan
• Saginaw Future
• Networks Northwest
• Duncan Aviation

Each session features national experts, Michigan employer voices, and actionable takeaways.

Designed for:
✔ Michigan Employers
✔ HR Leaders
✔ Chambers of Commerce
✔ Economic Developers
✔ Regional Child Care Coalitions
✔ Business Associations
✔ Michigan Child Care Champions

🎟 Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/pulsewebinar

Powered By Pulse, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), and supported through Michigan’s business and economic development network. MiLEAP works to expand access to high-quality, affordable child care and early learning programs, helping more Michiganders participate in the workforce and strengthening businesses across the state.

This project was made possible by grant number 90TP0138. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

07/23/2026

We're offering a 60-minute webinar on Thursday, August 6: "Marketing Your Small Business To Government Agencies and Prime Contractors." Did you know that government buyers are encouraged to talk with vendors and suppliers; that they are required to do their own market research; and that they expect certain types of marketing materials from their suppliers? This workshop will address these topics and more and show you how you tailor your marketing efforts and show that you understand the government marketplace.

Be sure to register at least 30 minutes beforehand (to avoid missing the opening) at: ttps://networksnw.ecenterdirect.com/events/1210.

07/16/2026

From a fifth-grade creative writing class to leading regional impact! 📝✨

We are proud to honor Janie McNabb (NMC 1992-2003), the dedicated CEO of Networks Northwest. Born and raised in Traverse City, her connection to NMC is lifelong. She credits the college with fostering her voice, providing key leadership roles, and inspiring her deep commitment to community service.

Guided by empathy, she has built deep trust in her career while remaining devoted to her family—perfectly embodying NMC's nurturing brand character. Today, Janie is focused on providing stability for her team and fostering regional connection as a true community cornerstone. 🌲💙

Click the link to read Janie’s full story: 🔗 https://www.nmc.edu/about/foundation/alumni/outstanding-alumni-2026.html

Address

600 E Front Street (PO Box 506)
Traverse City, MI
49685

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12319295000

Website

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