WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) will invest $2 million to construct a manufacturing training space at Youngstown State University’s (YSU) Mahoning Valley Innovation and Commercialization Center. According to the EDA, the project is estimated to create 54 jobs, save 93 jobs, and leverage $14 million in private investment.
“In an era where hard work doesn’t pay off like it used to for so many workers, investing in good-paying manufacturing jobs is more critical than ever,” said Brown. “While meeting with manufacturers and community leaders in Canfield last week, they underscored the importance of investing in education and training centers like the proposed Innovation and Commercialization Center at YSU. As we work to maintain Ohio’s leadership in manufacturing and innovation, this grant is a meaningful investment in the future of Ohio’s workforce.”
The funding will help fund the construction of a high bay advanced manufacturing training space to train new workers and retrain displaced workers on new manufacturing techniques and technology.
On Friday, Brown launched a multi-stop tour of Ohio, including a visit to Canfield, meeting with Ohio manufacturers, as well as business and community leaders, to promote the importance of Ohio manufacturing.
Brown also authored the Revitalizing American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act, which was signed into law in December 2014. The bill created a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation made up of advanced manufacturing hubs to bring together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies, and all levels of government to leverage resources and spur innovation. The pilot hub was Youngstown’s “America Makes,” formerly the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII).
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