Rep. McNally Announces $2,356,417 for Utica Shale Academy of Ohio

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) announced that on March 20, 2023 the State Controlling Board approved a $2,356,417 grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s (DOD) Governor’s Office of Appalachia for Utica Shale Academy of Ohio as part of their Appalachian Community Grant Program Development Grants.

“I’m ecstatic that the workforce development efforts in our region are being noticed and funded. This is the type of attention that the Biden administration promised Appalachia Ohio, and he’s made good on his word,” said Rep. McNally.  

 The Development Grants, made possible by $500 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars, were awarded as part of an initial round of funding and required awardees to have partners in place and begin construction or implementation of their project within 90 days. The program activities, resulting in sustainable and transformational outcomes and include health care, infrastructure, and workforce components, are required to total at least $1 million or more in order to receive eligibility for consideration. The project must be completed by October 31, 2026. 

According to the Ohio Controlling Board, the Utica Shale Academy of Ohio project, the Connecting Communities Through Workforce Training project, will focus on at-risk, low-income young adults and families affected by substance use disorders. It intends to reduce transportation barriers and increase the accessibility of quality workforce training equipment for residents in Carroll, Columbiana, Jefferson, and Mahoning Counties by expanding their workforce training services at three strategically-placed training centers. The project will provide residents with a career pathway toward earning a sustainable living wage, with a focus on in-demand jobs, which will ideally assist with the elimination of generational poverty in the area. The project participants will also have access to Community Health Workers that assist with health improvement.

“People in our area have always been hard working, talented, and smart. They just need someone to take a chance on them. We have the people, we have a plan, and now we have the investment that gives us a real shot at a better life and stronger communities,” said Rep. McNally.

The four Appalachian Community Grant Program Development Grants totaling $50,000,000 are:

• $25,793,806 for the Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program (Athens, Gallia, Hocking and Meigs)
• $17,674,641 for the City of Athens (Athens, Coshocton, Logan, and Somerset)
• $4,175,136 for the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachian (Athens, Hocking, and Meigs)
• $2,356,417 for the Utica Shale Academy of Ohio (Carroll, Columbiana, Jefferson, and Mahoning)

The second round of Development Grants will open in November, 2023 and close in December, 2023. Only local government and government-related entities from the 32-county Appalachian region are eligible to apply as Eligible Lead Applicants, although collaboration at a high level is encouraged.