CHAMPION, Ohio – A 15,000-square-foot expansion at Trumbull Career & Technical Center will provide space for industrial training, career exploration and mental health services.
At a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday, TCTC Superintendent Jason Gray said the expansion will allow the school to address some of the most urgent needs facing the schools, industries and communities it serves.
“At TCTC, we have always believed that education is not just preparation for the future,” the superintendent said. “It’s a powerful force that shapes the future of our region, and today we’re taking a bold step forward.”
The $6.4 million project, set to open in fall 2026, is funded by a $5.2 million Appalachian Community Innovation Centers grant and a $2.5 million career technical education equipment grant.
“The Industrial Technology is one of our career and technical programs for high school kids,” said Paula Baco, school director. “It’s a two-year program.”
The program was added this year, and the expansion will provide more space. It will also offer more room for career exploration for elementary and middle school students who visit the school. DeSalvo Construction Company is the general contractor for the project.
“We’re going to have many career labs in there,” Baco said. “They’ll be able to get career exploration in just about all of our programs.”
Through a partnership with Cadence Care Network, the expansion will also offer more mental health services – for students during the school day and for the community after school hours.
Matt Kresic, Cadence CEO, said the organization has had a presence at TCTC since 2017. It started with one staff member at the school once a week.
“Today, we have two full-time masters-level licensed therapist social workers who work in the school and help deal with the behavioral health needs that may arise for kids and families,” he said, estimating they serve about 200 students per day at the school.
Through the expansion, Cadence will be able to provide increased access to expanded behavioral health services, including individual and group therapies, case management services, behavior support services and access to a psychiatric nurse practitioner for prescribing through telehealth for students.
“We’ll be here, not only during school hours but throughout the year,” Kresic said. “That’s the hope, is that we’ll be able to open this up to a broader community, ensuring continuity of care for kids.”
Gray said the center will also provide training for the jobs that need workers.
“There’s definitely a need for workers in the field of advanced manufacturing,” he said. “There are jobs in this Valley, and we just need to provide the skills.”
Alex Hertzer, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, said the project brings a manufacturing focus to Trumbull County that previously didn’t exist.
“I mean, we have the welding program and things like that, but actually scaling into advanced manufacturing – and I think the key is – the positions they’re training these students for are some of the most in demand across the state.”
He referred to the need in the Mahoning Valley for maintenance technicians and others who can troubleshoot machines.
“Creating that additional pipeline – it’s huge for our manufacturers,” he said.
Pictured at top: Paula Baco and Jason Gray.