About us:  Grace Production Services LLC (GPS) manufactures and markets plastic injection molded and chrome plated parts, which are used by production manufacturers to fabricate consumer products. We are a minority, woman owned business (MWBE) and we have positioned GPS to be a superbly innovative company that will be an industry leader. Grace Production Services’ management team has a combined experience of over 100 years in molding and plating, automotive manufacturing, and quality assurance. In addition, the team has a well-established background in upper levels of corporate management, including over 40 years combined as independent business owners.

We have set the highest standards of operational systems and quality control to ensure that our manufacturing process “makes it right the first time,” to not only meet but exceed our customer expectations. Having an effective and efficient workforce fosters an atmosphere that provides mutually beneficial working relationships with our employees and customers. Grace Production Services invested in state of the art energy efficient, cost-effective machines and practices in order to uphold our responsibility to protecting the environment and supplying parts in the most economical way.

GPS is a minority woman owned business certified through MMSDC (Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council) and WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council). 

GPS is currently seeking applicants for a Plastic Injection Press Operator position - Marince City, MI

Business, education, and workforce leaders will once again connect at the Upper Peninsula Talent Summit at Northern Michigan University on Friday, November 11th, 2016.  The daylong event will provide attendees with the opportunity to work together to develop strategies that align with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s call to address talent related issues across the state.  This year's Talent Summit will explore the collaboration needed locally to develop connections that will result in continued economic growth.  The Talent Summit is in its fourth year and continues the work that began at Governor Snyder's statewide economic development and education summits held annually since 2013.    

The 2016 Summit will once again feature students as the core of the region’s work. The future workforce is already doing some very exciting and challenging work in career related efforts. Attendees at the Talent Summit will hear from some of these young people, their teachers, and mentors regarding the activities they are working on that connect to future careers. Best practices in the Upper Peninsula will be acknowledged and shared at the Summit. Some of the best practices that will likely be featured this year are the Early Middle Colleges, private sector partnerships with local schools, U.P. student robotics teams, employers in the classrooms, pre-engineering curriculum, talent tours, and much more. Talent Summit attendees will learn how they can get involved in these efforts as well.

Veteran businesses and workers will also be featured at the event which will take place on Veteran’s Day. Military veterans returning to our local workforce are an important part of our region’s worker pipeline strategy. This group represents highly trained and skilled employees that can help local businesses compete in the global economy. The Talent Summit will seek to make important connections with veterans that will help lead the region to economic prosperity.

Last year, participants had an exciting opportunity to hear from Jeremy Bout.  His presentation was well received and local stakeholders have since engaged Bout to work with the region in helping energize local efforts to connect students to good jobs in the area. Bout explained that in order to inform young people about great jobs, you first need to connect with them. His documentary-style films inspire and inject motivation into standard science and mathematics curriculums. Some of his videos were shown during the summit to help inspire parents and educators to connect young people to good careers. Talent Summit attendees in 2016 will be updated on Bout’s connection to our region as a result of last year’s event, and the work that he has helped with in the U.P. 

The Upper Peninsula Talent Summit considers the local climate regarding talent, employment pipelines, and education needs to build a thriving local workforce.  Stay tuned for more updates regarding this important event in the coming months. Community stakeholders look forward to seeing you at the highly anticipated 2016 Upper Peninsula Talent Summit.  Sharing your talent needs, ideas, and opinions is extremely valuable to a locally targeted event like this one. For more information on the 2016 Upper Peninsula Talent Summit visit www.uptalentsummit.org or call (906)789-0558 ext. 1316.  

Grand Rapids Community College is officially opening its Fountain Hill Brewery -- and Peter's Pub -- with a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23.

Fountain Hill Brewery, housed on the first floor of the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center at 151 Fountain St. NE, is the only federal- and state-licensed brew pub in the country that is owned and operated on a college or university campus. 

"The brewery and pub will help us make sure that the students in our new Craft Brewing, Packaging and Service Operations certificate program have hands-on experience in this high-demand industry," said President Dr. Steven C. Ender. 

The first group of students in the program, offered through GRCC's Secchia Institute for Culinary Education, started their studies this summer. Their coursework will take place in the brewery, in the field and through internships. 

The brewhouse features a three-barrel Craftwerks system, designed to brew about six kegs per batch. Students in the program work with a four-head counter pressure bottle filler, plate frame filter, dual head keg washer and lab equipment that includes titration sets, microscopes and a hemocytometer. While the beers on tap will change, the brewery currently is featuring Pale Ale, Scottish (CO2 and Nitro), Hefeweizen, American IPA, Baltic Porter (lagered), and Blonde Ale. The students in the program have helped create the products served on site.

Peter's Pub, located near the brewery and The Heritage restaurant, is named for philanthropist Peter Secchia. It seats about 50 people. 

The brewery and pub will be open to the public from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays during GRCC's academic year.

Grand Rapids Community College has been offering educational opportunities in West Michigan for more than 100 years. Established in 1914, the college offers degree courses, certification and training programs, and workshops and personal enrichment classes. Offerings are held on GRCC’s downtown Grand Rapids campus, and at several locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as through distance learning.

 1. Grand Rapids named "Best Beer Town" in USA Today online poll

2. "Game of Thrones" star Jason Momoa buys Detroit building for brewery

3. Ann Arbor  named among "America's Best Places to Live 

4. Five reasons to go North this fall to enjoy Traverse City's beaches, food, and wine scene