Chamber’s Leadership Yields Results for Education in FY27 State Budget  

Michigan’s FY27 state budget makes targeted investments in education and workforce development that matter directly to the business community, many of which the Detroit Regional Chamber has long supported through its advocacy efforts.   

The budget includes $40 million to reimburse school districts for dual enrollment costs, marking meaningful progress toward expanding access to college-level coursework for high school students. However, the funding falls short of current demand. Michigan schools spent approximately $68 million on dual enrollment last year, meaning the new investment does not fully cover existing costs.  

Eighty percent of Michigan students who enrolled in dual enrollment in 2023 continued to college after high school, compared to 54% of the entire high school graduating class, according to the Chamber’s 2025 State of Education and Talent Report. Additionally, 28% of dual-enrolled students completed college in four years compared to 15% of other students from 2020’s graduating class. 

Participating in these programs accelerates entry into high-demand careers, allowing students to earn transferable credits, get their degrees more quickly, and reduce student debt. 

This investment reflects years of Chamber-led advocacy. Through D3C3, the Chamber elevated dual enrollment as a statewide priority by convening community colleges, business leaders, and policymakers around a shared goal: strengthening the talent pipeline. 

While this signals forward momentum, additional funding will be needed to scale access and meet workforce needs. There is not plan in place at this time to reimburse schools after the $40 million is spent.  

The budget also allocated $14.5 million for the Going PRO Talent Fund, a win based on the Chamber’s annual policy priorities.  

Over 200,000 Michiganders have received training since Going PRO was launched in 2014. Employees experience an average 7.2% increase in hourly wages as a direct result of this training. To ensure taxpayer dollars are responsibly appropriated, funding is not awarded to employers until training is completed and retention requirements are met. 

The preservation of Going PRO is a significant win considering initial proposals to eliminate it despite proven results for employers, including measurable wage gains and workforce upskilling. Unfortunately, the reduced funding level limits its reach and leaves untapped potential across key industries like manufacturing and the skilled trades.  

The FY27 budget also includes several targeted investments to improve college access and completion: 

• Lowers the age eligibility from 25 to 21 for the year for Michigan Reconnect  

• $10 million to incentivize FAFSA completion requirements across school districts 

• $312,500 for college success and wraparound supports 

• $125,000 to increase awareness of postsecondary opportunities among men 

Together, these efforts aim to increase participation in postsecondary education and improve completion rates, critical factors for employers facing persistent talent shortages.  

Continued engagement from the business community will be essential to ensure these investments are sustained and scaled to meet the state’s long-term talent needs. 

Related | Sandy K. Baruah: Make the ‘K – 12 + 2’ Approach Michigan’s Next Education Step