EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - Youngstown State University (YSU) is set to design a first responder training center in East Palestine, with $20 million in funds from Norfolk Southern, according to a Friday announcement from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

Following the 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment and explosion in East Palestine, DeWine said Norfolk Southern had agreed to build the training center, in an effort to expand hazardous material training for firefighters. In the newly announced agreement, YSU will design and construct the new training center and operate it as part of the university's Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences and Forensic Science.

A long-term endowment plan will also be created to support the center's finances, operations and continued growth.

YSU President Bill Johnson said in a press release that the expansion will help equip the Valley with essential skills well into the future.

"We are deeply honored to participate in this $20 million public-private partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Norfolk Southern, and the village of East Palestine to develop a state-of-the-art Fire Science and Public Safety Training Facility that will serve first responders across Ohio and beyond," Johnson said.

DeWine made the announcement alongside Vice President J.D. Vance, Congressman Mike Rulli, YSU President Bill Johnson, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conway, Norfolk Southern Railway Company CEO Mark George as well as U.S. Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted.

The site of the first responder training center has not yet been confirmed and will be finalized at a later date, according to the governor's office.