Rep. McNally Announces $471k in RAPIDS Funding for YSU

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced that the Ohio Controlling Board released $471,005.52 in funding from the Ohio Department of Education’s  Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (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 and create a collaboration between businesses and higher education. This round of funding totals at $10M. 

“I am happy to see the continued strength of the RAPIDS program and am proud of this investment in YSU and YSU students. I think this is a great tool in keeping our talented students in the area after graduation,” 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.