The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Lakeland Community College has been awarded a $4.2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to renovate the Industrial Skills Training Center for Advanced Manufacturing located on Lakeland’s campus.

The grant aims to boost manufacturing workforce training efforts and provide individuals with skills needed to fill a multitude of manufacturing jobs across northeast Ohio. Renovating Lakeland’s Industrial Skills Training Center for Advanced Manufacturing will give students access to state-of-the-art resources and innovative training techniques to prepare them for the workforce.

“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,” Senator Sherrod Brown stated in a news release. “We know Ohio workers can compete with anyone in the world, and this will allow more Ohioans to build careers in good-paying jobs.”

“Being that Lakeland is a critical provider of education and job training in northeast Ohio, the funds awarded by EDA will have a tremendous impact not only for our students, but for our area employers. Advanced manufacturing jobs are in high demand locally and expanding our training opportunities will prepare more students with the skills needed to fill these positions,” shared Dr. Morris W. Beverage Jr., Lakeland Community College president. “Lakeland’s mission is to meet the needs of the community; this grant will allow us to do exactly that by building a stronger workforce for northeast Ohio. We are grateful the EDA recognizes and supports these efforts.”

“This is great news for Lakeland Community College’s Industrial Skills Training Center for Advanced Manufacturing and the entire Northeast Ohio community,” Congressman Dave Joyce stated in a news release. “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.”

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.

By: Kerry Ann Jonke, Asst Director Market & Communi