Cedarville, Mich.-based Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS) has secured a $354,600 Rural Business Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The school applied for the support as part of its “Enhancing Education with Equipment” campaign, which provides equipment and technology for skilled trades training.

According to an article in Soundings Trade Only, GLBBS said in a statement that new equipment and technology are required to deliver more advanced Mercury University certification levels. Also, due to industry demand, GLBBS is offering Ilmor Engineering and Volvo Penta diesel curricula, which requires additional specialized training.

“With our growing enrollment and strong demand for our students in the marine industry, we must have the best and newest equipment available to teach the latest techniques in maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs,” GLBBS president Nikki Storey said in the statement. “We are so appreciative to the USDA for recognizing the need and supporting us.”

To date, Volvo Penta, Ilmor Engineering, the Marine Leadership Alliance, Gage Marine, the National Marine Distributors Association and Interstate Power Systems have provided in-kind or monetary support to the school’s training programs.