The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has opened applications for a $260,000 pilot funding opportunity aimed at helping manufacturers and their workforce or nonprofit partners develop transportation programs that improve employee access to work, retention and productivity. The initiative targets small and medium-sized manufacturers in Michigan, as well as workforce organizations partnering with eligible employers, and seeks to address transportation barriers that often limit workforce participation. Applications for the Reliable Rides Incentive Grant Pilot Program are due by 9 February 2026.
The pilot program builds on the Reliable Rides: Connecting Workers to Jobs playbook, a newly released, employer-focused resource designed to help businesses design and implement practical transportation solutions as part of their workforce strategy. Through this grant, LEO expects to award funding to 12 to 20 grantees, with individual awards of up to $20,000, depending on the transportation model selected and the scope of implementation. The total funding available under the program is $260,000.
State officials highlighted that the funding is intended to reduce transportation-related barriers that prevent workers from securing and maintaining employment, while also supporting employers in building a more stable and reliable workforce. The program emphasizes collaboration between employers, transportation providers and community organizations, recognizing partnerships as a key factor in successful transportation models.
Applicants are required to demonstrate a commitment to addressing workforce transportation needs, outline plans to implement a transportation model drawn from the Reliable Rides playbook and show how the program will be sustained beyond the grant period. Awards are expected to be announced in March, following a competitive review process.
