Last week, in honor of In-Demand Jobs Week, businesses, schools, and organizations across the state promoted activities and career exploration for jobs that are in demand in Ohio. The theme for In-Demand Jobs Week 2024 was "Ohio, The Heart of Opportunity," and I had the opportunity to visit Intel's construction site in New Albany and meet with representatives from Columbus State Community College to discuss the partnership. Although In-Demand Jobs Week ended last week, there are still ways to inspire career exploration. To learn more about the top in-demand jobs in Ohio, visit the Governor's Office of Workforce Transformation website.
There are additional new developments happening in the state! Last week, here in Columbus, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and officials from the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds broke ground on two buildings to revitalize the fairgrounds. The project will feature the Ohio Showcase Building and create a new agriculture building. I was able to participate in this event and am excited to share news of what’s to come! Learn more about the 2050 EXPO Center.
If you need assistance in navigating Ohio’s resources, please contact us.
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Traffic Safety Grant Program
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is seeking grant proposals from nonprofit organizations and government agencies to reduce traffic fatalities in their communities. The grants, awarded through the General Traffic Safety Grant Program, must address one or more of the following traffic safety issues:
- Alcohol/drug impaired driving
- Occupant protection
- Speed management
- Non-motorized road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.)
- Other traffic-related fatalities or serious injuries
based on problem identification
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General traffic safety grant proposals must demonstrate cost effectiveness, measurable results, and the potential to positively impact the transportation-related goals at both the state and local levels. For more information, see the grant solicitation package on the FFY 2025 web page. The deadline to apply is May 23, 2024.
FY 2025 Township Safety Sign Grant
The Ohio Department of Transportation reminds townships that the application period for the Township Safety Sign Grant is now open. Fiscal year 2025 begins in July 2024. The Ohio Department of Transportation will announce funded applications in late July. Any township that has not previously received funding is eligible to apply. There are currently 691 townships on the eligibility list. Townships can apply for up to $50,000 for signs, posts, and hardware to improve the safety of their roadways based on their crash history over the past five years. Applicants must complete three eLearning courses that cover:
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- Basics about the grant,
- What signs are funded,
- How to determine what signs you need for your crash areas,
- How to install those signs, and
- How to complete the grant steps.
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To determine if a township is eligible to apply and for more information, please visit the Township Safety Sign Grant webpage.
Submit grant applications electronically by Friday, June 7, 2024.
Workforce Development Grant Opportunity for the Appalachian Region
The U.S. Department of Labor will award up to $1.5 million to awardees to help affected communities develop local and regional workforce development solutions. These solutions must align with existing economic development strategies to create new, sustainable jobs and long-term economic vitality. Grants are intended to produce quality employment outcomes for Appalachian workers, enabling them to stay and thrive in their communities. View the grant opportunity. The deadline is June 20, 2024.
Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently soliciting applications for up to $932 million in funding for the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. Grantee must use funding to replace existing non-zero-emission Class 6 and 7 heavy-duty vehicles with eligible Class 6 and 7 zero-emission vehicles. To support the adoption and deployment of zero-emission vehicles, grantees may also use funds for zero-emission vehicle refueling infrastructure; workforce development and training; and project implementation costs.
Competition under this solicitation is open to:
- States, including U.S. territories;
- Municipalities, including public school districts;
- Indian tribes; and
- Nonprofit school transportation associations.
Visit the U.S. EPA program website for more details. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on July 25, 2024. The EPA anticipates notifying selected applicants by November 2024 and awarding the grants by February 2025. Register today for the Boot Camp!
 ARC Selects Ohio Local Governments to Participate in the READY Local Governments Initiative
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced that it selected 90 local government entities, representing 12 Appalachian states, to participate in READY Local Governments. Of the 90 selected, 14 were from Ohio. READY Local Governments is one of four customized tracks within ARC’s capacity-building initiative, READY Appalachia, The program is designed to help participants leverage federal funding opportunities and create lasting, positive change in their communities. READY Local Governments participants attend nine weeks of virtual, cohort-based learning to grow their skills in project identification and planning, federal grant application development, federal grant regulations and compliance, community engagement in projects, and more. Upon completion of the training program, participants will be eligible to apply for up to $50,000 in funding (no match required) to implement internal capacity-building projects to better serve communities.
Congratulations to these 14 local governments from Ohio for taking the first step in building capacity to serve their communities!
Apply to Receive Free Comprehensive Grant Training for Infrastructure Projects
Register by May 17 for the Local Infrastructure Hub's free training programs to help municipal staff learn how to write winning grant applications. Comprehensive training, resources, and access to experts are designed to empower cities to submit successful grant applications. The time commitment is just one hour per week for 12 weeks.
The training addresses these current grant opportunities:
Application Now Open for Appalachian Leadership Institute
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a nine-month leadership training program focused on economic development in the Appalachian region. Selected applicants will participate in six multi-day seminars, each focused on one of ARC’s investment priorities. The program is free to participants and provides opportunities for skill building, networking, and mentoring. Participants will learn to identify and implement strategies to strengthen communities, collaborate with leaders from across the Appalachian region, identify assets in their communities to build economic development plans, and recognize the Appalachian experience. Appalachian Leadership Institute programming will run from October 2024 to July 2025. Eligible applicants must live or work in a county within the Appalachian region. ARC will accept applications through June 1, 2024. To learn more about the program and to apply, visit: Appalachian Leadership Institute.
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