WARREN, Ohio – A training center at Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport will help to attract aviation companies to Ohio and reinforce the state’s importance in aviation. So said Terry Slaybaugh, vice president of infrastructure and sites for JobsOhio, who came to the Western Reserve Port Authority board meeting Feb. 19 to announce a $1 million grant for the YNG Aviation Education Center.
The grant represents the final piece of funding for the $5.5 million center at the regional airport, which the port authority operates, said Anthony Trevena, port authority executive director.
The port authority announced plans last year for the 18,000-square-foot center, which will house the YNG Flight School and an expansion of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics campus. Site work is underway. The rest of the project should go out for bid this summer.
The project is part of the “rebirth” of aviation education in Ohio, Slaybaugh said. He pointed to Ohio’s history as a leader in aviation and recent successes such as Joby Aviation’s plans to build a $500 million plant to manufacture electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
While having available sites for development has been important and continues to be, the top concern for companies is talent and whether they will be able to find the workforce they need, he said.
“We’re continuing in Ohio to increase our educational institutions that are going to provide the workforce for aerospace, and aviation is key to us being successful in getting companies to come here,” Slaybaugh said.
Pictured at top: This rendering signals Youngstown State University’s intention to offer an associate degree in aviation at the school.