Rep. McNally, the City of Youngstown announce partnership for Innovation Hub Opportunity
COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced a partnership with the City of Youngstown, America Makes, Humtown Products, Youngstown Business Incubator, and the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce to pursue portions of the $150 million in promised state investment, investment Ohio Governor Mike DeWine believes would bolster economic development, for an innovation hub anchored at America Makes in Youngstown.
“The City of Youngstown, in partnership with many organizations already excelling in research and technology to advance workforce development right in our downtown, is ready to compete for these funds and play its part in propelling Ohio’s economy,” Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown said. “Hopefully, our work here in Youngstown is strong enough to consider us for this type of state investment.”
Brown was referring to America Makes, which is already designated the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the Youngstown Business Incubator and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, all downtown, as well as many other private-sector institutions and corporations from around the country, focused on additive manufacturing research, technology and workforce development.
“We already have a good partnership with the state and a track record of success for developing the additive manufacturing workforce,” America Makes Executive Director John Wilczynski said. “Additive is revolutionizing how we make parts for the auto industry, medical products and the vast defense industry. We’d be honored if the state considered us.”
The Governor’s proposed two-year operating budget includes funding for innovation hubs to expand the workforce in research and technology, something America Makes has been doing for 11 years.
Regional Chamber President & CEO Guy Coviello, YBI Executive Director Barb Ewing, State Rep. Lauren McNally and Humtown Products President & CEO Mark Lamoncha joined Brown, Wilczynski and many others in touting the advantages of placing an innovation hub in downtown Youngstown. Collectively, they made these points:
· The Columbus-based Ohio Chamber Research Foundation recommended that Ohio create an innovation center in Youngstown anchored at America Makes and focused on advanced manufacturing, with a special emphasis on additive manufacturing.
· America Makes already manages a $400 million research and development project portfolio.
· America Makes already serves as the only additive manufacturing innovation hub for the U.S. Department of Defense.
· Corporations around the state and nation are part of America Makes’ membership and invested in accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing to boost the U.S. manufacturing industry.
· Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing how the world makes products, including 3D-printed homes and 3D-printed aircraft components. Ohio can gain a stronger foothold in a more technology-focused economy through these evolutions.
“Not only does this make good economic development sense, but by investing in our urban core, we can continue to make progress closing glaring disparities in educational attainment, income and health outcomes,” Coviello said. “Whether or not an Ohio innovation hub lands in Youngstown, thanks to the Governor, our economic development ecosystem is now re-assessing how we’re capitalizing on this incredible asset called America Makes.”
“Securing an additive manufacturing innovation hub in Youngstown is one of my top legislative priorities, and I’m grateful the Governor is willing to make these investments in the state,” said Rep. McNally. “I strongly support this innovation hub concept, and I know that the hardworking people of the Mahoning Valley and America Makes are best suited to bring this concept to life.”
“We are one of the leaders in the world in starting and growing companies in additive manufacturing,” Ewing said. “We are already attracting companies here from other states and other nations. An innovation hub would certainly propel the entire state.”
“Our business, and many others around the world, have grown substantially by adopting additive technology, and we would all benefit from an innovation hub anchored by America Makes,” Lamoncha said. “Our Governor recognizes the importance of research, technology and a well-trained workforce. I applaud him for his forward thinking.”