(The Center Square) – More than $60 million in taxpayer and private funds are planned to develop Ohio’s fourth innovation hub.
The newest, in the Youngstown area, is expected to focus on manufacturing support for the national defense industry.
The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense will receive $26 million in state taxpayer funds, along with $36 million in local and federal tax dollars and private investment, to expand 3D printing in the space and defense industries.
“Building on the region’s deep manufacturing roots, Youngstown has spent the last decade establishing itself as a leader in the research, development, and commercialization of additive technology,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “With support from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, partners will now have added capacity to drive critical advancements in the defense and aerospace industries by transforming the way military equipment is made and strengthening our country’s national defense supply chains.”
America Makes, a Youngstown-based company founded in 2012 as the U.S. Department of Defense’s national manufacturing innovation institute for 3D printing, will lead the program. Partners include the Youngstown Business Incubator, Youngstown State University, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and the city of Youngstown.
The hub will be in the Vindicator II building, the previous home of the Youngstown Vindicator’s printing operations.
The state expects the collaboration to have an economic impact of $161.6 million and create 450 new jobs by 2029.
The state announced the first hub last summer, committing $40 million in local and state tax dollars in northwest Ohio with an eye toward growing the state’s position as a global leader in glass science, engineering, technology and production.
The second announcement came in August, committing $35 million in taxpayer funds to grow the digital technology market in the state’s southeast corner.
Another $23 million in local tax dollars and up to $37 million in private investment are all part of the onMain Innovation Hub’s Digital Transformation Center on the former Montgomery County fairgrounds site in the greater downtown Dayton area.
The third received more than $31 million in taxpayer funds and focuses on polymer research, development and technology in the Akron area.
Another $10 million in local investment is expected for the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub, with more than 70 partner agencies, including the city of Akron and the University of Akron.
