$8 Million in RAPIDS Grants for Cutting-Edge Equipment to Support Workforce Development.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Mike Duffey announced the approval of $8 million in funding for the latest round of ODHE’s Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) grants.

The RAPIDS program provides funding to Ohio public universities, community colleges, and career technical centers to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for students to use in education and training programs tailored to regional workforce needs.

Equipment purchased by grantees is often shared among multiple campuses, allowing more students to get a quality education more affordably.

Governor DeWine, Chancellor Duffey, and the Ohio General Assembly targeted $8 million in the SFY2024-2025 state operating budget to assist Ohio’s public universities, community colleges, and career technical centers in offering the most up-to-date education possible to provide a skilled workforce for in-demand jobs. Following the recent approval of the state Controlling Board, RAPIDS grant funding will be awarded to nearly 100 colleges, universities, and career technical centers across the state.

Northwest Ohio award totals are as follows: Bowling Green State University, $68,658 for advanced manufacturing; University of Northwestern Ohio (a sub-awardee of BGSU), $57,100 for advanced manufacturing; Vantage Career Center (a sub-awardee of BGSU), $46,300 for advanced manufacturing; Northwest State Community College, $55,095 for advanced manufacturing; Four County Career Center (a sub-awardee of Northwest State), $54,600 for advanced manufacturing; Defiance College (a sub-awardee of Northwest State), $51,976 for advanced manufacturing; Owens Community College, $59,046 for advanced manufacturing; Penta Career Center (a sub-awardee of Owens), $59,078 for advanced manufacturing; Rhodes State College, $55,869 for advanced manufacturing; Apollo Career Center (a sub-awardee of Rhode State), $59.078 for advanced manufacturing; Terra State Community College, $58,837 for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity; Tiffin University (a sub-awardee of Terra State), $58,837 for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity; Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Centers (a sub-awardee of Terra State), $58,837 for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity; the University of Toledo, $70,270 for advanced manufacturing; Ohio Northern University (a sub-awardee of UT), $44,435 for advanced manufacturing; Toledo City Schools (a sub-awardee of UT), $57,899 for advanced manufacturing; and Ohio State University-Lima, $59,078 for advanced manufacturing.