A panel featuring northwest Ohio’s four community college presidents highlighted a “Partnering to Power Northwest Ohio’s Workforce Future” discussion at the Network Regional meeting hosted by the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) and JobsOhio today at the Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative in North Baltimore.
The higher education leaders explained to a room of nearly 70 economic development professionals how community colleges are at the forefront of providing credentials, non-credit upskilling and employer-driven programs that benefit the regional economy.
The Regional Growth Partnership hosts these network meetings five times annually, providing economic development partners from across the region program updates, current and upcoming initiatives being driven by the RGP and JobsOhio, and best practices.
For the educational panel, Northwest State Community College President Todd Hernandez, Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville, Rhodes State Community College President Dr. Cynthia E. Spiers and Terra State Community College President Ronald Schumacher discussed the critical role each of their institutions play in Ohio’s economic development success.
Helping Ohio retain and attract skilled workers, community colleges have partnered with JobsOhio on the agency’s JobsOhio 2030 campaign which aims to make the state No. 1 in the Midwest and Top 5 in the country for creating high-quality jobs.
The college presidents fielded questions relating to how their institutions are positioning the 17-county northwest Ohio region as talent-ready for business investment by updating and developing partnerships with employers to make sure today’s students learn skills that match what businesses need.
The meeting also included project, sites and marketing updates from the RGP as well as an international report. JobsOhio presented on its loan program while Ohio Life Sciences and the Montrose Group highlighted the new Life Science Ready Community Designation designed to attract high-paying jobs and life-saving innovations to Ohio.
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
About the Regional Growth Partnership
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.