OHIO — 81 higher educational institutions across Ohio are receiving a grant through the Super RAPIDS program.

What You Need To Know

  • 81 higher educational institutions across Ohio to receive part of a $40 million grant through the Super RAPIDS program 

  • Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced the recipients Friday

  • RAPIDS grants are used to purchase equipment for use in classrooms specific to regional workforce needs

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who serves as Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, announced the Super RAPIDS grant recipients Friday. Recipients will receive part of the $40 million that was 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, according to 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,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in the press release. “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,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said in the press release. “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.”  

According to the press release, 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,” Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner said in the press release. “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, health care and robotics.

Some higher education institutions that received a grant include:

  • University of Cincinnati

  • University of Akron

  • The Ohio State University

  • Cleveland State University

  • Central Ohio Technical College

  • Sinclair Community College

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

Related Stories