(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, today announced that $40 million was awarded to 81 higher education institutions across Ohio through Super RAPIDS grants. The program was included in the state operating budget to support collaborative projects among qualifying institutions to strengthen education and training opportunities that maximize workforce development efforts through a one-time funding boost to the traditional RAPIDS program.

Education institutions with connections to Ross County awarded Friday included Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology. and Ohio University, although the dollar amounts and specific programs were not identified in a press release.

“We have thousands of jobs coming to Ohio and it's vital that our workforce is prepared and ready to fill them,” said Governor DeWine. “This funding provides an opportunity for our students to learn the skills they will need in their future career on the equipment Ohio's businesses use."

“To continue Ohio’s economic momentum, our students must be trained and ready for jobs in technology, advanced manufacturing, and other high-skill industries,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “We championed Super RAPIDS in the state budget to ensure that training providers have the right kind of resources and equipment available to educate the next generation of Ohio's workforce.”  

The entirety of the $40 million available through this application period will be awarded to help schools upgrade their lab and classroom space with new, modern equipment. As a comparison, through six rounds of the traditional RAPIDS program, a total of $47.3 million has been awarded.

"The RAPIDS program has been a win-win for Ohio's campuses and regional employers since its inception," said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. "This investment will continue that success by meeting the most urgent workforce needs, ensuring students are prepared for the future."

RAPIDS grants are used to purchase equipment for use in classrooms specific to regional workforce needs. These classrooms are often shared among colleges and universities, expanding the reach of the equipment and allowing more students to get an affordable, high-quality education. Examples of industries served through the program include Advanced Manufacturing, IT and Cybersecurity, Broadband/5G, Healthcare, and Robotics.

To learn more about the program, visit HigherEd.Ohio.gov/Super-RAPIDS.