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Rep. McNally Announces $331,460.06 for Youngstown State University's RAPIDS Program

March 24, 2025
Lauren McNally News

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that the State Controlling Board approved $331,446.06 in funding from the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODHE) RAPIDS program aimed at developing technical talent to reach economic goals. The RAPIDS program provides funding for universities across Ohio to invest in regional workforce demand. 

“Programs like RAPIDS are so important. I am happy to see state investment in job training and investing in our workforce,” said Rep. McNally.

Desired outcomes of the RAPIDS program include:

  • Support and strengthen the industry sectors most in need at the regional level;
  • Drive local and regional partnerships in the areas that make the most sense;
  • Develop regional strengths in delivering sustainable, equipment-dependent workplace education, training, and skills;
  • Address duplication, adhering to strategies that focus on sharing, transferability, quality, and value;
  • Develop strategies to build internship and co-op programs that encompass a diverse population of students and careers positioning these programs as value added talent resources for local and regional businesses;
  • Inventory assets in these key areas, creating regional profiles that can serve as blueprints for ongoing strategic investment; and
  • Enhance the impact of statewide equipment and work-based learning investments by incorporating community development block grants, foundation, federal and other funded strategies that build on economic development strategies fueled by workforce priorities.

The State Controlling Board also approved $220K in capital funding as part of the wider Library Depository Renovation projects for the Northeast Regional Library, which services universities in the Northeastern region of Ohio, including Youngstown State University. The Library Depository Renovation projects are aimed at procuring capital equipment and various renovation projects for library storage units across Ohio.