Celebrate Manufacturing Month Finale – Oct 30
Celebrate the conclusion of Manufacturing Month with the Smart Manufacturing Cluster of Northeast Ohio, powered by Team NEO and SCMWDP. For manufacturers, the reception offers a chance to talk directly with the people behind the incentives, gaining clarity on qualifying, application timing, and strategic use. For partners, the event provides an opportunity to meet active companies with growth goals and connect with the region’s industrial base.
The evening will feature a short program highlighting new and existing opportunities, such as the recently launched JobsOhio Relocation Incentive, worth up to $225,000 to support new STEM and technical hires. Representatives from these programs will be available throughout the reception to answer questions and engage with manufacturers one-on-one. Beyond the program, guest will enjoy dedicated time for networking, providing attendees with the opportunity to connect with peers, share insights, and explore opportunities over drinks and heavy appetizers.
As a capstone event for Manufacturing Month, the Happy Hour offers manufacturers a chance to celebrate the region’s progress while walking away with new contacts and practical resources they can leverage immediately.
Agenda
4:00 – 4:30 PM | Networking & Refreshments
- Kick off the evening with drinks, heavy appetizers, and informal networking.
4:30 – 5:00 PM | Program Highlights
- Welcome remarks from the Smart Manufacturing Cluster of Northeast Ohio
- Overview of new and existing resources, including the JobsOhio Relocation Incentive
5:00 – 6:00 PM | Networking Reception
Continue conversations with manufacturers, partners, and resource providers in a casual, high-energy setting.
Membership
Welcome New Members!
The following members are now officially registered with SCMWDP. We look forward to their active participation in our programs and networking opportunities!
Community Non Profit Member
Associate Member
Educators on Tour!
On October 13 a group of Stark County educators spent the day touring 4 manufacturing plants while being quizzed on our local, state, and national manufacturing economic impact.
Educators learned about the many career pathways in manufacturing. 100% of those on the tour said they would definitely recommend manufacturing as a career pathway to their students.
Educators offered the following comments in the post event surveys when asked what comes to mind when the word “manufacturing” is mentioned:
- “Growing, stable”
- “Careers not just jobs”
- “Innovating”
- “Opportunity, multifaceted”
Thank you to the 4 host company/sponsors for your hospitality and effort to make this another successful event in promoting manufacturing as a viable career pathway!
- Ohio Gratings, Inc.
- The M.K. Morse Company
- Ambaflex Manufacturing
- Hendrickson Navarre
Good Jobs Challenge
WorkAdvance – Entry Level Job Placements
We are in the final homestretch of the Good Jobs Challenge grant and the entry level placement program referred to as WorkAdvance. These federal funds allowed SCMWDP to partner with NCUS to work with the under and unemployed to provide the following services for candidates:
- Grass roots outreach
- Basic Job training
- Technical training
- Entry job placements in manufacturing
- Career coaching to support retention and advancement
Over 220 individuals have been placed since SCMWDP engaged with NCUS. Our team needs another 22 placements by the end of the year to meet our overall goal. If interested in access and connections to these candidates to fill your manufacturing open positions, then contact Freda Robinson at Frobinson@ncusolutions.com
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SCMWDP Board Schedules Strategic Planning
OMA Will Provide Facilitator
The SCMWDP Board will embark on a deep dive in December to develop a 3-5 year strategic plan working with a facilitator provided by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. The manufacturer and all member surveys conducted earlier this year will provide direction along with a report developed for the Stark/Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board which projects talent needs in advanced manufacturing through 2028. The report can be found HERE
The board is committed to follow the mission of SCMWDP to increase the capacity of the local manufacturing workforce. Board President, Shaun Eller from Ohio Gratings, Inc., stated, “The SCMWDP has instituted some great programs that are making a positive impact to remind our current and future workforce that manufacturing has many viable career pathways. Educators, students and career changers are realizing there is place for everyone in manufacturing. We appreciate the collaborative effort and support provided by our members and stakeholders in creating this positive momentum and look forward to augmenting these efforts.”
Current Board Members include:
President Shaun Eller – Ohio Gratings, Inc
Vice President Andrew Fowler – The M. K. Morse Company
Treasurer Mark Church – MT Systems
Board Member Amanda Skinner – RW Screw
Board Member Nichole Simmons – Sun America
Board Member Rod Maldonado – Lindsay Precast
OMA Developing Employer Led Earn and Learn Model
Stark Manufacturer Industry Champion Needed
We’re excited to share an opportunity to participate in the design of a new initiative aimed at strengthening Ohio’s manufacturing workforce. Accenture has agreed to a 90-day pro bono arrangement with the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) to create an employer-led earn-and-learn / apprenticeship model focused on developing entry-level manufacturing technicians. The objective is to significantly expand the technician talent available — with potential to scale capacity by 4x statewide.
OMA has requested a Stark County manufacturer leader interested in being a part of the 90-day design process, starting in August. We are hoping this design project will lead to a common employer-led earn-and-learn model that will be piloted and scaled across the state.
Time Commitment and Next Steps:
- Attend a half-day launch meeting on Thursday, August 21st, from 10 AM to 2 PM at OMA’s office with SCMWDP Managers (hybrid option will be available).
- Attend 3-4 additional Design Sessions with SCMWDP Managers.
If your organization is interested in participating in this 90-day commitment (August through October), please contact Stephanie Werren.
TechCred Updates
Next round for Applications
Nov 3 – Dec 1, 2025
The state extended the very popular TechCred grant program which provides employer grants up to $2,000/credential/employee for technical training. Employers can receive up to $30,000 per application period for training Ohio based staff.
Applications will be reviewed competitively. Awards will not be made on a first-come, first- served basis. Scoring of competitive applications, if needed, will include the following:
- Level of economic distress in employer’s region and regional balance of awards
- Amount of employer contribution toward the cost of credential
For the purpose of application and fund distribution, the following employer size classifications will be used:
- 1-50 Employees: Small
- 51-200 Employees: Medium
- 201+ Employees: Large
An overview and more details of this opportunity to use easy access to state funds for your technical training needs are found HERE .
End of Year Schedule
| Oct 30 | All members – Manufacturing Networking/Celebration at Walsh |
| Nov 3-Dec 5 | Second Grade Coloring Contest |
| Nov 14 | Stark County School Counselor meeting at Ohio Gratings |
| Nov 20 | Board Meeting Only (third week of the month) |
| Dec 10 | Board Meeting Only – Strategic Planning |
The SCMWDP newsletter is distributed to member Stark County manufacturers, associate members, education partners, select state officials, local officials and other stakeholders like community-based organizations.
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