$954K Grant Enables Start-up of Lawrence Mercer Manufacturing Workforce Development Organization

YOUNGSTOWN – The Ohio-Penn Interstate Regional Collaboration received a $954,708 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor in September, which will be used in large part to build out a workforce development coalition serving Lawrence and Mercer County manufacturers.

The funding is part of the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative, which specifically engages local communities in the Appalachian region to develop strategies to prepare workers for good jobs in high-demand industries.

“Manufacturers and jobseekers on both sides of the border will ultimately be the beneficiaries of this significant grant funding,” said Chris Becker, President, G.W. Becker Crane. “A collaboration of local partners, all with a common goal of identifying and developing talent to fill the many good, career-oriented manufacturing jobs in our region, have outlined strategies for putting this funding to work to improve both the livelihood of our people and the competitiveness of our manufacturing businesses.”

The grant request spelled out three specific initiatives that the DOL investment would enable to be executed:

• Planning, implementation and sustainability of a newly formed manufacturing industry sector partnership in Lawrence and Mercer counties
• Training and career pathway training to connect jobseekers to quality manufacturing jobs
• Resources to connect manufacturers to jobseekers, retain employees and attract a diverse workforce

A founding group of manufacturers, including G.W. Becker Crane, ELLWOOD and Hall Industries are leading the formation of the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition (LMMC). The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition is facilitating the strategic planning process, and the majority of the funding will support LMMC’s priorities, which will be determined by manufacturers.

“MVMC is the gold standard in Ohio among the state’s 16 endorsed sector partnerships, and leveraging their experience and success as we form our own group in Western Pennsylvania has been extremely advantageous, and this grand funding will help accelerate our development,” said Dave Douglass, Operations Manager, Hall Industries, Inc.

An informational meeting exclusive to Lawrence and Mercer County manufacturers is scheduled for Oct. 17 at Westminster College to provide membership information and answer questions about joining the Lawrence Mercer Manufacturers Coalition. Interested employers can contact julie@mahoningvalleymfg.com for meeting specifics.

Photo courtesy of ELLWOOD City Forge manufacturing facilities, Ellwood City, PA. ELLWOOD is a founding member of LMMC