SALEM, Ohio – Advanced manufacturing has the possibility to transform how many things are designed and manufactured, but harnessing that technology locally to change industries and education takes knowledge and collaboration.
For small- and medium-size manufacturers and educational leaders interested in joining the advanced manufacturing wave, the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center hosted America Makes, the Youngstown Business Incubator and the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense for an informational session Wednesday.
The Guide to 21st Century Talent Breakfast gave attendees a chance to network and learn about how teaming with the organizations in Youngstown can help them find additional success moving forward.
Emily Young, project manager at America Makes, said the event was an opportunity to explain how these organizations can support companies and educators in Columbiana County and the region in their transition into advanced manufacturing.
She talked about the online educational modules available for free through America Makes. Educators and those offering or seeking internships and apprenticeships can partner with America Makes.
“Historically, we do a lot of K-12 programs, and that’s really fun and exciting,” Young said. “But this is really opening the door to those small businesses because we want to talk directly with them so that we’re able to support them.”
YBI’s Daniel Longo talked about the Rising Tides program, which is an initiative to empower the future workforce with training and support. Rising Tides is an opportunity for the four counties covered by Lake to River Economic Development – Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana – as well as Jefferson, Belmont and Monroe to use grant money to modernize their manufacturing. Longo said those counties were selected because it was determined they were most affected by the decline in the coal industry.
Longo said manufacturers thinking about additive manufacturing, energy and aerospace can reach out to him at YBI and discuss their projects and ways to collaborate with Rising Tides and the incubator. Additionally, he suggested those who have shied away from considering defense contracts because of the perceived difficulties in getting set up can obtain additional help through YBI to navigate the process.
“As a whole, we’re trying to expand our footprint, open up our offerings to entice anybody who needs to move – we have space for them or we will find you a space,” Longo said. “Or if someone is already established, we are willing to work with you, and we have these grant opportunities available.”
Longo suggested that through collaboration and partnerships, both manufacturing companies and YBI can benefit, not just in Youngstown but throughout the region.
Megan Malara, the newly named director of the Youngstown Innovative Hub, introduced herself and explained the opportunities available through the hub, which was created earlier this year through the state.
“It’s good to get the word out that more activity is going to be coming around the hub,” Malara said. “Obviously, they’ve been chugging along since they’ve been on contract, but now that I’m here, I’m dedicated to get impacts into the northeast Ohio region.”
YBI is renovating the former Vindicator Printing Co. building for the hub, and Malara said that will create space for companies to set up shop for manufacturing, pilot out their processes and products and collaborate with others in the region.
The informational session was held at the SOD Center’s training facility, which is celebrating seven years at the end of this month. Julie Needs, executive director of the SOD Center, said it has trained or upskilled 6,000 employees while working with 136 companies.
“It’s just been extraordinary to see participation from employers and the investment that they’re making in their employees to not only retain them but to help them grow within the company,” she said, adding that companies from not only Salem and Columbiana County, but also Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Mahoning, Trumbull and Carroll counties have used training opportunities through the center.
Wednesday’s event provided an opportunity to collaborate and share information with manufacturers and educators in the area without requiring them to travel to Youngstown.
“Sometimes, the more we can localize things, the more attendance we get, the more participation,” Needs said. “It really makes a difference. The more we can expose our companies and educators to, the better we are as a region.”
Pictured at top: Megan Malara, director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense.