In northwest Lower Michigan, we’ve always prided ourselves on being experts at doing more with less. Whether it’s our small businesses or our schools, efficiency isn’t just a fancy word—it’s how we live. When taxpayers put their money into programs that genuinely give back to our communities, we make sure every dollar works as hard as possible. That’s exactly what adult education has done for our region. But now, that proven success is on the line.
The Michigan House recently passed an education budget that would take adult education funding and lump it in with general per-pupil school funding, instead of keeping it separate and dedicated for adult education. On paper, it might look simpler, but in reality, this could mean significant cuts or in a worst case scenario, the complete elimination of adult education services in our community. Without dedicated funding, those dollars could easily get swallowed up by other areas, leaving adults who depend on GED programs, literacy support, and career training out in the cold.
Here in northwest Lower Michigan, we simply can’t afford to leave anyone behind. We have over 15,000 working-age adults in our 10-county region who don’t have a high school diploma or its equivalent. The Adult Education Learning Labs at Northwest Michigan Works! serve many of these individuals who are working hard at changing their lives for the better. They’re earning GEDs or high school diplomas, building essential math, literacy, and digital skills, and getting ready for in-demand jobs right here in our local industries.
The results speak for themselves. Local graduates are entering the workforce, increasing their earning power and contributing more in taxes and to our local economies. At the same time, they’re helping businesses fill crucial positions. Local companies get the skilled workers they desperately need. Families see new opportunities open up. Our regional economy grows stronger.
It’s the perfect example of taxpayers getting a real return on their investment. For every adult who earns a diploma or equivalency, the economic impact is huge—not just in wages, but in creating stability, helping families succeed, and boosting community engagement. And we’ve achieved all of this with programs that are flexible, responsive, and truly focused on getting results.
Northern Michigan has always found ways to do more with less. But if adult education funding gets folded into the general school budget, we might not be able to do it at all. Adult education isn’t an “extra”—it’s a crucial piece of our workforce puzzle and one of the smartest investments the state can make.
I strongly urge both lawmakers and everyone in our community to protect dedicated funding for adult education. By doing so, we’re not just lifting up our neighbors; we’re strengthening our businesses, our economy, and the very way of life we cherish here in northwest Michigan.