U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.2 Million to Boost Manufacturing Workforce Training Efforts in Northeast Ohio

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.2 million grant to the Lake County Community College District, Kirtland, Ohio, to renovate Lakeland Community College’s Industrial Skills Training Center for Advanced Manufacturing.

This grant will help to diversify the local economy by expanding training opportunities for students in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake counties, preparing them for good-paying advanced manufacturing jobs to meet local employer needs as the region faces uncertainty about the local nuclear power plant. The EDA investment will be matched with $3.1 million in local funds and is expected to create 300 jobs, retain 243 jobs and generate $5 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to supporting local efforts to promote advanced manufacturing and workforce training,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This investment will diversify the regional economy and strengthen critical skills development for students.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support the Lake County Community College District in its efforts to boost the region’s manufacturing workforce,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will broaden and grow the local economy, while building economic resiliency in the region for decades to come.”

“Ohio has a proud history of leading the country in manufacturing innovation. We’re building on that legacy by making new investments in Lakeland County Community College to train the next generation of Ohio advanced manufacturers,” said Senator Sherrod Brown. “We know Ohio workers can compete with anyone in the world, and this will allow more Ohioans to build careers in good-paying jobs.”

“This is great news for Lakeland Community College’s Industrial Skills Training Center for Advanced Manufacturing and the entire Northeast Ohio community,” said Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14). “One of the most common concerns I hear from local manufacturers is that they have jobs available but cannot find qualified workers to fill them. It’s more important than ever to ensure Ohioans have the necessary skills and training to secure and succeed in these good-paying jobs. This grant will help accomplish just that and ensure manufacturing can continue to play a key role in our regional economy and support communities across the Buckeye State.”

This project is being funded under EDA’s Assistance to Nuclear Closure Communities program. Closures of nuclear power plants throughout the United States have had a significant impact on the economic foundations of surrounding communities through sudden job losses and a reduction to the local tax base. EDA has a strong history of working with communities facing structural economic adjustments, including those impacted by nuclear power plant closures.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.