07/24/2023

Husted Announces Regional Hubs to Promote Ohio’s Broadband, 5G Sector Workforce Strategy

All Ohioans need access to high-speed internet

Lt. Governor Jon Husted, who serves as director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, today announced six regional hubs across the state that will help expand the efforts of Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership locally.

“In today’s economy and workforce, all Ohioans need access to high-speed internet,” said Husted. “Establishing these regional hubs will regionalize the work of our statewide Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership, empowering local communities to help build the broadband and 5G workforce Ohio needs.”

As part of the implementation of Ohio's Broadband and 5G Workforce Strategy, the regional hubs will be placed across JobsOhio's six-region map and will provide resources to local communities so they can create the talent pipeline needed for local businesses.

The following entities will constitute each regional hub:

Central​ – One Columbus JobsOhio Region

1. Ohio State University​
2. Columbus State Community College​
3. Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio​
4. IMPACT Community Action​

Northeast​ – Team NEO JobsOhio Region

1. Youngstown State University​
2. Cuyahoga Community College​
3. Cleveland|Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board
4. Community Action Akron Summit​

Southeast​ – Ohio Southeast JobsOhio Region

1. Ohio University​
2. Hocking College​
3. Area 14 Workforce Development Board
4. Community Action Organization of Scioto County, Inc.​​

Northwest​ – Regional Growth Partnership JobsOhio Region

1. University of Findlay​
2. Terra State Community College​
3. Greater Ohio Workforce Board, Inc.​
4. Great Lakes Community Action Partnership ​

West​ - Dayton Development Coalition JobsOhio Region

1. University of Dayton​
2. Sinclair Community College​
3. Greater Ohio Workforce Board, Inc.
4. Miami Valley Community Action Partnership

Southwest​ – REDI Cincinnati JobsOhio Region

1. Miami University​
2. Cincinnati State Technical & Community College​
3. Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio
4. Community Action Agency Cincinnati-Hamilton County​

“With these regional partners in place, we’ll be better able to raise awareness of in-demand broadband careers, establish more local training programs in broadband occupations, and maximize state and federal funding to help pay for this training,” said Matt Damschroder, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which is administering the grant.

 “Raising awareness and creating onramps to careers in broadband and 5G at the local level is the best way to build a workforce capable of meeting Ohio and the nation’s broadband deployment needs,” said WIA Executive Vice President Tim House. “By establishing these regional nodes, Ohio continues to expand access to good jobs across the state and demonstrate what an effective sector-based partnership for broadband workforce development looks like.”

In January, Husted announced $9 million in QUEST funding from the U.S. Department of Labor that was budgeted to establish these regional hubs, also known as nodes, to support the implementation of Ohio's Broadband and 5G Workforce Strategy at the regional level.

Today’s announcement represents continuous progress and success related to broadband expansion and 5G deployment that builds upon efforts by Governor Mike DeWine and Husted to expand and enhance high-speed internet access for businesses, schools, and families throughout Ohio. The “Strengthening Ohio’s Broadband & 5G Workforce” Strategy can be found on the BroadbandOhio website.