New facility fuels growth as Marine Trades Institute Purchases Taylor Lumber Property
Nikki Storey, President
nikki.storey@marinetrades.edu
Tom Coates, Director of Development
thomas.coates@marinetrades.edu
Cedarville, Michigan – March 2025 – Excitement abounds at Marine Trades Institute in Cedarville, Michigan, as the institution embarks on a new chapter of growth and innovation. Following a rebranding that formally established the esteemed Boat Building School and the cutting-edge Marine Technology School under the more encompassing name of Marine Trades Institute – the organization is poised to further elevate marine education in the region.
Driven by growing needs within the marine industry and a commitment to providing the best possible training experience, the Marine Trades Institute has initiated an ambitious expansion plan. This expansion gained significant momentum with the Institute’s recent acquisition of the historic Taylor Lumber property. This strategic move not only secures vital space for the Institute’s continued growth but also honors the enduring legacy of Frank Taylor, a visionary businessman and longtime supporter of the school.
In 1960, Frank Taylor acquired the property for use as a sawmill and planing mill. He then diversified into building materials, establishing the first lumber yard in the area – Taylor Lumber Company in Cedarville, MI. This venue served as the foundation for his expansion throughout the Upper Peninsula, ultimately leading to the creation of Tri County Building Centers. Over the past 50+ years, Tri County Building Centers has significantly contributed to the development of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. When Frank Taylor retired in 2004, he passed ownership to long-time employee Brien Hanna. Under Hanna’s leadership Tri County Building Centers has expanded further, now serving six locations throughout the U.P. including Cedarville, St. Ignace, Pickford, Detour, Paradise, and Sault Ste. Marie.
While the Taylor property is being sold to the Marine Trades Institute, Tri County Building Centers has purchased a new sales building located at 44 E. M134 in Cedarville, and plans to continue providing building material delivery services to the area. “We’re not going anywhere,” says Brien Hanna, owner of Tri County Building Centers. “By consolidating our locations, we’ll be able to remain competitive and successful in this industry despite challenges presented in today’s market. With a location in Pickford, we’ve got all the building inventory you might need just a few miles up the road, and through our delivery service we offer multi-million dollar inventory right at your fingertips.”
“This business has grown exponentially,” says Hanna. “We’ve overcome and embraced a lot of changes over the years. It’s a competitive industry, and it’s important that you be able to adapt to stay successful. There are very few independent lumber companies, let alone ones with operations so near to each other. We are confident that by consolidating our Cedarville and Pickford locations, while maintaining a sales and accounting office here in town, we can continue to serve the community with the same great service they have come to expect from our company.”
“I’ve been grateful to have Frank Taylor as a personal mentor, and when I shared this idea with him he was elated,” says Hanna. “Frank was a longtime supporter of the Boat School and viewed this opportunity the same as I did – a win-win. This is an opportunity to help drive the continued success of both ourselves and the Marine Trades Institute.”
For the Marine Trades Institute, the purchase of the new building couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. “Growth is the word that best describes the last few years at the school,” says Nikki Storey, President of Marine Trades Institute. “Our class sizes have expanded, our staff has grown, industry partnerships have flourished, and interest in our programs has surged since our accreditation. While restructuring as the Marine Trades Institute created valuable space for our programs to expand, the demand for training continues to outpace our current capacity.”
“With the acquisition of the Taylor property, we are poised to meet this growing demand and solidify Cedarville’s position as the premier destination for marine training in the Midwest,” Storey continues. “I’ll add an additional “win” onto Mr. Hanna’s “win-win” mentality with this sale, because this transition will not only drive continued success for ourselves and Tri County Building Centers, but also amplifies our economic impact in Cedarville – making this a win-win-win for the entire community.”
“This year also marks the 20th anniversary for our school,” says Storey. “We are deeply grateful to the visionary leaders who charted this course for us, the unwavering support of individuals like Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hanna, and the incredible backing of our community. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to a future where Marine Trades Institute continues to thrive, shaping the future of the marine industry by empowering the next generation of professionals.”
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.
