Buckeye Reporter

Governor Mike DeWine, along with Lt. Governor Jon Husted, has announced a substantial investment of $40 million across 81 higher education institutions through Super RAPIDS grants. The objective of these grants is to bolster education and training efforts, thereby enhancing workforce development throughout the state.

In a statement regarding the new initiative, Governor DeWine emphasized the importance of workforce readiness for the incoming job opportunities in Ohio. "We have thousands of jobs coming to Ohio and it's vital that our workforce is prepared and ready to fill them," said DeWine. He further added, "This funding provides an opportunity for our students to learn the skills they will need in their future career on the equipment Ohio's businesses use."

According to a press release, Lt. Governor Husted highlighted the critical connection between Ohio's economic growth and student readiness for high-skill industry jobs. Husted said, "To sustain Ohio's economic momentum, our students must be trained and ready for jobs in technology, advanced manufacturing, and other high-skill industries. We advocated for Super RAPIDS in the state budget to ensure that training providers have access to the necessary resources and equipment to educate the next generation of Ohio's workforce."

Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner expressed his support for the RAPIDS program in a press release. Gardner said, "The RAPIDS program has been a win-win for Ohio's campuses and regional employers since its inception. This investment will continue that success by meeting the most urgent workforce needs, ensuring students are prepared for the future."

As per the press release, these grants are intended to procure equipment specifically designed for classrooms that align with regional workforce needs. Shared among colleges and universities, this equipment allows more students access to affordable and high-quality education.

The list of awardees spans various regions across Ohio including Southwest, Northwest, Northeast–Central, Southeastern regions as well as Northern Appalachia and the Central region. Notable recipients include Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Miami University, University of Cincinnati, Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, University of Akron, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Stark State College, Ohio University and Hocking College among others. The initiative also includes several sub-awardees such as the University of Findlay and Tiffin University, further emphasizing the program's comprehensive approach to promoting education and workforce development in Ohio.