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LEO director highlights workforce, MSHDA housing investments and apprenticeship gains
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Summary
Director Susan Corbin told the House Oversight Committee that LEO has expanded workforce training, apprenticeships and housing investments—including $2.61 billion in MSHDA funding in fiscal 2025—and described grant and oversight processes; lawmakers pressed for HCDF reports and more transparency.
At a House Oversight Committee hearing, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin presented an overview of LEO programs, citing workforce development milestones, apprenticeship expansion and major housing investments through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).
Corbin said LEO created the state’s first statewide workforce plan, launched Michigan Reconnect (a tuition-free community college program) and the Tri-Share Childcare Program (cost-splitting among family, state and employer). She highlighted apprenticeship growth—nearly 24,000 registered apprentices and more than 850 active programs—and said Michigan ranks highly in credential attainment and apprenticeship participation nationally.
Corbin reported MSHDA investments of $2,610,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 that supported nearly 45,000 residents and helped produce, preserve or finance more than 12,400 housing units. She said more than 6,000 Michiganders (6,193) became homeowners with MSHDA support and that the agency provided over $1,000,000,000 in mortgage and down-payment assistance loans in a single year.
Corbin walked committee members through LEO’s grant process—selection during the state budget, Attorney General review of templates, pre-risk assessments of grantees, cost-reimbursement payments with three-level reviews, compliance surveys, quarterly progress reports and site visits intended to ensure responsible administration.
Several members questioned transparency about the Housing and Community Development Fund (HCDF) and its statutorily required annual reporting. Representatives said they could not locate recent HCDF reports; Corbin acknowledged the statutory reporting requirement and committed to finding and providing the missing reports and additional MSHDA materials (presentation and fact sheet) to the committee.
Lawmakers also asked about efforts to prepare workers for artificial intelligence and the m3 shipbuilding training program. Corbin said LEO released an AI-and-workforce report in May focused on (1) upskilling incumbent workers, (2) assessing impacts across occupations including skilled trades, and (3) supporting small businesses. She praised the m3 program at Macomb Community College, noting Navy funding and employer partnerships that have produced strong placement outcomes for graduates.
Committee members requested more specific documents and spreadsheets, including HCDF annual reports and MSHDA fund-balance information; Corbin said LEO would provide the materials.
