Ohio Receives $5 Million Grant to Boost Defense Manufacturing

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that the U.S. Department of Defense has approved a $5 million grant to improve defense manufacturing processes in the state and train workers for next-generation jobs.

The grant follows an announcement in August designating Ohio as a Defense Manufacturing Community. It is a program designed to support long-term community investments that strengthen national security innovation and expand the capabilities of defense manufacturing.

“Ohio is positioned to be the premier state for defense manufacturing, and this grant will help our companies and workers achieve that,” Governor DeWine said. “Ohio is committed to ensuring that our military has the best equipment and resources available.”

The $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense will be supplemented by a $1.25 million cash match, which includes $650,000 from the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and $600,000 in project income and partner contributions.

“Ohio is building the workforce of tomorrow, and this grant will help more workers develop the tech skills that will allow Ohio companies to be on the leading edge of defense manufacturing,” Lt. Governor Jon Husted said. “We have created a tech-friendly environment that is making Ohio a leader in the United States.”

The Ohio Development Services Agency led the effort for the state to be designated as a Defense Manufacturing Community and to secure the grant. MEP, which is a program within Development, will take the lead in the project and will be aided by numerous organizations and businesses throughout the state, including the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, JobsOhio, Dayton Development Coalition, America Makes, and Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing.

“Ohio is, and will continue to be, on the forefront of military readiness, as well as workforce development,” U.S. Representative Steve Stivers said. “This grant will help ensure that Ohioans are leading the way in the future of work, and the future of technology development.”

Ohio MEP and its partners are ready to hit the ground running. The program will start immediately, and the work will be completed over the next three years. To read more about the grant, click here.