State Rep. Alicia Reece joins ODOT, Urban League to announce job partnership renewal

Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC) President and State Rep. Alicia Reece announced a $300,000 job partnership renewal between the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati today during a press conference at the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio headquarters.

The Construction Connections program focuses on soft skill development as well as technical instruction for minorities and other disadvantaged individuals. The nine-week program trains, certifies and offers on-the-job training and permanent employment upon completion.

“With a number of recent reports highlighting disparities in our city and across our state, it is important that we act to support initiatives that truly make an impact to close the gap to prosperity for all citizens. Construction Connections has a proven track record of training highly-skilled workers and connecting them with permanent jobs. Today’s announcement will expand this jobs initiative and continue to put Ohioans back to work,” said Reece.

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Cincinnati and OLBC both released reports earlier this year highlighting many disparities for African-Americans in Ohio, including high unemployment rates.

Donna Jones Baker, President & CEO of the Urban League of Southwestern Ohio, said, “We wouldn’t get as much done without Representative Reece. This partnership with ODOT has been important through the years.”

Rep. Reece also announced the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Prosperity Action Tour will kick off Monday, October 19 in Cincinnati.