The two-story 15,000 square-foot building sits on Garden Street on the southeast side of Grand Rapids.
Two local companies are set to rent space there: Jireh Metal Products and Adept Furniture.
Those businesses will have the option to hire workers who go through training provided by Mel Trotter’s Next Step program.
It’s a partnership with benefits on both sides says Mel Trotter CEO Dennis Van Kampen.
“Some of their employees have challenges that may make it difficult for them to maintain a job, and our caseworkers and job coaches can come alongside them and help them overcome those challenge and stay employed.”
He says this is a pilot program that shows how partnerships can creatively solve issues like homelessness while at the same time addressing a worker shortage to benefit the whole community.
“When we all build competency, it can be replicated not only locally but even regionally and across the country because it is such a unique and I think well-thought- out partnership.”