The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board (NWIWB) announced that as a result of the leadership of Mayor Mark Krentz of La Porte and Mayor Ron Meer of Michigan City, along with their economic developers, a consortium of employers, educators, workforce development professionals and the Unity Foundation, the Innovation Network of La Porte County will be receiving a $677,000 Skill UP 3 grant from the Department of Workforce Development. The JP Morgan Chase Foundation will also provide for this initiative. The Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI) will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant that will focus on preparing the pipeline of workers for manufacturers in the county and region. For further information about the Innovation Network of La Porte County and Skill Up, contact Allison Bertl at 219-462-2940, ext. 41 or abertl@gotoworkonenw.com .