Columbiana, Trumbull, and Mahoning Counties will receive over $100,000 combined for new programs oriented towards workforce development, according to a release from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

According to the release, Columbiana and Mahoning Counties, which make up Ohio workforce development Area 17, will receive $47,610. Trumbull County, which is in Area 18, will receive $66,500.

In a release sent to 21 News, Director of the Area 17 Workforce Development Board Mary Ann Kochalko says the funds will support outreach efforts by the Business Resource Network. The BRN, according to the release, supports recruitment and other development needs for several markets including healthcare, 5G, and manufacturing. 

Area 18's funds will also go towards the BRN, according to the release from Kochalko, which was issued on behalf of both Areas. 

The BRN was an idea developed locally in 2008, and allows businesses facing unique challenges in recruitment and development to conduct brief interviews with the BRN, which organizes resources to provide support and solutions to business challenges. 

The announcement comes among a positive jobs report for August, which says employers added a strong 187,000 jobs to the economy. The August report points to a slowing, but still growing labor market in the US, with the totals from June, July, and August representing the lowest 3-month total in three years.