The Marine Trades Institute (MTI), formerly known as the Great Lakes Boat Building School, is proud to announce its 20th anniversary celebration "Crafted for a Cause," a special fundraising event supporting the school's Student Enrichment Fund. This milestone celebration marks two decades of the Institute’s commitment to providing high-quality, hands-on education in the marine trades.

Taylor Lumber Company, a division of Tri County Building Centers, has an extensive history in the Les Cheneaux Islands dating back to 1883 when the Taylor family immigrated to Pickford from Arnprior, Ontario, Canada. In 1960, Frank H. Taylor III established his first lumber yard, sawmill and planing business in Cedarville which was the stepping stone to establishing lumber yards throughout the Upper Peninsula. Frank Taylor retired in 2004 and Brien Hanna, a long-time employee took the reins and continues to lead the business today.

The "Crafted for a Cause" fundraiser will take place on Friday, August 22nd, from 6pm to 9pm at Les Cheneaux Distillers in downtown Cedarville. The evening will feature dinner and drinks, live music by the Haske Brothers, boat and vendor displays, and a reverse raffle with 20 unique prizes, including a grand prize of $5,000. Marine Trades Institute aims to raise $30,000 for the Student Enrichment Fund, which enhances the student experience through essential equipment purchases, enriching field trips, and valuable professional development opportunities.

Founded in 2005 with a mission to preserve traditional wooden boat building craftsmanship, the Institute has significantly expanded its programs to meet the evolving demands of the modern marine industry. What began as week-long workshops has grown into comprehensive, year-long training programs developed in collaboration with industry partners. Students can choose to become certified Mercury Marine Level One Technicians through the Marine Technology School or pursue careers in craftsmanship and restoration at the Boat Building School. The Institute also offers additional certification opportunities, scholarships, and employer sponsorships, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment.

In response to the growing demand for skilled marine professionals, MTI is embarking on an aggressive expansion of its campus and class sizes. This summer, the Institute broke ground on a new 10,000 sq. ft. training facility for the Marine Technology School, which will also free up more space in the current facility for students enrolled in the Boat Building School.

“We are excited to partner with MTI on this important fundraising event and celebration of some of the great things happening in the community,” said Rachel Hanna-McDermott from Tri County Building Centers. “With the establishment of our new location in Cedarville and the new project underway at the school it is an opportune time to express our thanks and get involved.”

Crafted for a Cause is supported by a myriad of other sponsors, including several who are participating in the construction of the new Marine Technology training facility. First National Bank of St. Ignace returns again this year as a top supporter with the Dinner Sponsors.

Clark Construction and Rudy Sherlund Excavating, both partners in the Marine Technology School’s construction, and several local companies with a long history of supporting the school such as Autore Excavating, Soo Motors, and the school’s neighbor, BreezeSwept Docks. In a significant boost to their fundraising efforts, the Make it Better Foundation (MIBF) has partnered with Marine Trades Institute by offering a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $10,000 for event sponsors.

"Currently, we can accept 25-30 students per year, but once the Marine Technology facility is complete, we can increase to 50 students each year," MTI President Nikki Storey explains. "As we celebrate our 20-year milestone, we are strategically investing in the future of the school and cementing ourselves as the leaders in training the next generation of boat builders and technicians.”

Tickets for "Crafted for a Cause" include automatic entry into the reverse raffle, and guests do not need to be present to win. For more information about sponsoring this event or purchasing tickets, please visit www.marinetrades.edu.

About Marine Trades Institute: Marine Trades Institute is a leading educational institution dedicated to training the next generation of skilled professionals in the marine industry. Offering programs in boat building, marine technology, and other specialized certifications, the Institute is focused on developing the expertise needed to meet the growing demand for qualified workers in the marine trades. The Institute provides hands-on education and industry connections that open doors to rewarding careers on and around the water. Marine Trades Institute is a non-profit organization recognized as a charitable organization and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The Institute is recognized as a Silver Star Veteran Friendly School for the 2024-25 school year.