Youngstown Incubator to receive nearly $1.8 million to help economic development from job loss in coal industry

The Ohio Department of Development and the Appalachian Regional Commission are announcing $8.2 million towards eight projects that support workforce and economic development for communities impacted by the loss of jobs related to the coal industry, including one here in the Valley.

The Youngstown Incubator is receiving $1.795 million to help manufacturers located in Ashtabula, Belmont, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, Monroe, and Trumbull counties for jobs within into the microchip, advanced energy, defense, and aerospace industries. 

The project — called the Rising Tides Initiative — will provide existing manufacturers in the seven-county area with comprehensive technology education, impactful pilot/demonstration programs, federal research support, and other targeted initiatives to help grow manufacturer competitiveness. 

According to the press release, the funding will support emerging companies within two regional technology incubators: Youngstown Business Incubator, focused on business software and advanced manufacturing technologies, and BRITE Innovation Center, supporting electric vehicle mobility, battery storage, and grid infrastructure. According to the Ohio Department of Development, the project is expected to help 90 businesses and up to 180 workers/trainees, potentially creating two new businesses and up to 20 new jobs and leveraging $9,050,000 in private investment.

The funding is part of the federal Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative to works to address?coal-related job loss throughout the Appalachian region.?

The Governor's Office of Appalachia, an Ohio Department of Development division, worked to identify projects that could qualify for funding.

"In Ohio, we are making significant investments into our Appalachian region, creating a better place to call home, attracting new businesses, and supporting sustainable economic growth," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who serves as a member of the Appalachian Regional Commission. "This funding will support our work to help ensure all Ohioans have the opportunity to live up to their God-given potential."

According to the media release, the funding will be used to strengthen a variety of industries, such as advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and workforce development and will enhance job training and employment opportunities, create jobs, and

The projects that received funds include:

• The Jefferson County Broadband Connectivity, $2,500,000. The project is looking to improve broadband speeds in the townships of
  Springfield, Ross, Knox, Island Creek, Salem, and Wayne in Jefferson County by establishing public-private
  partnerships with internet service providers who can provide broadband to help  approximately 34 businesses, 769 households, and six
  communities and will improve approximately 26 businesses and 575 households across six communities over the course of the seven-year period.
• Shawnee State University Advanced Manufacturing Center, $1,999,092. Strengthen the advanced manufacturing workforce in 10 counties in Southern Ohio and Northeast Kentucky by renovating a training center housed at Shawnee State University. Goal to serve 3,400 students, serve 12 businesses, improve eight businesses, and renovate the space over the span of three years.
• Appalachian Educator EmPOWERment Consortium, $1,750,000. The project looks address the teacher shortage facing Southeastern Ohio with the development of an innovative model of teacher education, providing an affordable and accessible pathway to licensure for aspiring teachers. The project expects to train and retain 27 qualified educators, who will go on to teach 675 students in Appalachian Ohio.
• Building a Skilled Workforce Partnership to Accelerate Methane Reduction in Ohio, $50,000. The project will develop an industry-aligned orphan well-plugging curriculum and a strategic plan for transitioning the project into the implementation phase.
• Appalachia Forge: Catalyzing Manufacturing Excellence in SE Ohio and WV, $46,900. Develop the K-12 workforce to help the growing needs in advanced manufacturing and technology industries in seven counties in Southeast Ohio and West Virginia.
• Catalyzing Manufacturing Excellence in SE Ohio and WV project, $46,900. Develop the K-12 workforce in advanced manufacturing and technology industries in seven counties in Southeast Ohio and West Virginia.
• Connecting Black Heritage, From Enslavement to Settlement in Southern Ohio, $40,427. The project will develop a plan for a Heritage Trail that connects significant Underground Railroad and black heritage sites across six Southeastern Ohio counties to register the sites with the National Park Service's "Network to Freedom" marker program.
• Adena Works, $40,000. Identify local skill gaps, business needs, and workforce and training needs; development of a manufacturing lab to provide STEM education for these at-risk populations.