PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Shawnee State University’s Advanced Manufacturing Center has been awarded a $1,999,092 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to help build a skilled, high-tech manufacturing workforce in the region. The funding will support the university’s efforts to provide in-demand degrees and credentials tailored to advanced manufacturing industries, an initiative designed to revitalize the local economy and create pathways to well-paying jobs.
Adam J. Miller, Interim Dean of the College of Business and Engineering Technology at Shawnee State, emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering regional economic development. “The College of Business and Engineering Technology at Shawnee State University is committed to supporting the economic development and workforce needs of the region through our academic programs, the Kricker Innovation Hub, K-12 outreach, and community partner engagement,” said Miller.
A cornerstone of the initiative will be Shawnee State’s K-12 Outreach Programs, which aim to educate young students about career opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Hands-on learning experiences, such as the “Manufacturing on the Move” mobile education lab, will give students a chance to explore real-world applications of high-tech skills, creating a pipeline of future candidates for Shawnee State’s manufacturing degree and credential programs.
This substantial award is part of a broader $68.2 million ARC funding package supporting 65 projects across 188 coal-impacted counties, under the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. POWER focuses on economic diversification and job creation in Appalachian communities impacted by the decline of coal-related industries.
Since its inception in 2015, ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested over $484.7 million in 564 projects, aiming to expand employment and educational opportunities for nearly 170,000 workers and students across Appalachia. These investments have helped create or retain nearly 54,000 jobs in sectors ranging from entrepreneurship and broadband to tourism and technology.
The Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership covering 423 counties across Appalachia, continues its mission to foster economic growth, build capacity, and create new opportunities in the region.