Pavliga Announces Workforce Training Funding for Portage County Higher Education Institutions

State Rep. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) announces the State Controlling Board approved a total of $443,209 for workforce training projects for Kent State University (KSU) and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) on Monday.

“I supported our capital bill that included these important funds here in Portage County for KSU and NEOMED to ensure we are investing in our college students for the purpose of enhancing workforce training here in Ohio,” Pavliga said. “We want our residents to have good-paying jobs and be ready for jobs of the future, and these investments for these training program improvements are moving toward that goal.”

The allocations include the following for the two Portage County universities:

• Kent State University - $264,000
• NEOMED - $179,209 

The workforce-based training programs are to support education and skilled training of students and workers to meet the needs of growing, emerging and high-demand industries. The funding is for equipment purchases and facility improvements for the institutions to serve students and regional businesses.

The funding derives from House Bill 687, the capital budget bill that Pavliga cosponsored and supported and was signed into law earlier this year.

The next State Controlling Board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 21.