BELOIT, Ohio - A more than $800,000 grant from the state of Ohio will help the West Branch Local School District expand its educational offerings, especially in the fields of welding, industrial maintenance, business, and audio/visual broadcasting. 

Out of 178 schools that applied, West Branch was one of just 56 that were awarded the $832,470 Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant.

School officials plan to use the money to enhance the West Branch welding lab, which will feature additional welders and state-of-the-art equipment. The expansion of the welding lab will benefit students enrolled in the program, providing them with advanced tools and resources to hone their skills in this critical trade, according to a news release from the district.

Additionally, the grant will facilitate the growth of the industrial maintenance program, now in its second year, by acquiring essential equipment, including robotics technology.

 West Branch administrators say they also plan to “reinvent” business classes into an innovation lab. The lab will be equipped with tools and resources tailored to design and production, fostering creativity, entrepreneurship, and practical skills.  Students will have the opportunity to operate their own business with products that they design and create.

The grant will also enable West Branch to invest in an audio/visual cart, enhancing broadcasting capabilities throughout the school district. The acquisition will provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in media production and broadcasting, preparing them for future careers in this  field.