Cincy Reporter

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted recently participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new building at the Laurel Oaks Career Campus. Husted emphasized the importance of career-focused training programs that aim to equip students with in-demand skills for Ohio's evolving economy.

“Lt. Governor Jon Husted stopped by the Laurel Oaks Career Campus groundbreaking today for a new building that will house their new Alternative/EV Technician Program and expand their existing Law Enforcement and Welding & Fabrication programs,” according to a Sept. 23 social media post on Husted's official X account.  

According to the Wilmington News Journal, the new building will host the Alternative/Electric Vehicle Technician and Construction Technology programs. The project was funded by a $6.8 million state grant, which will also expand other programs at the campus. Husted emphasized how Ohio's industries and skilled workforce contribute to the state's role as a key producer of essential goods and technology.

“Ohio is the heart of it all,” said Husted, according to the News Journal. “Because we make the things that people need to live and thrive. From the food you eat to the cars you drive, to the trucks that deliver it all, to the airplanes that fly right over there, to the cloud that connects our devices and connects us to AI and the chips that power all those devices and much, much, much more. That’s what we do in Ohio.”

“I’ve always believed that if you give somebody a good education and you give them a good job, they don’t need much else,” continued Husted. “You have good values mixed into there and you can live your version of the American dream. But it starts with an education.”

According to the Marion Star, Ohio has allocated $40 million in Super RAPIDS grants to 81 higher education institutions across the state, including Marion Technical College and Tri-Rivers Career Center in Central Ohio. This one-time funding boost, part of the state operating budget, aims to enhance collaborative projects and improve education and training opportunities by upgrading lab and classroom facilities with modern equipment. 

This funding is intended to maximize workforce development efforts and contrasts with the $47.3 million awarded over six rounds of the traditional RAPIDS program. RAPIDS grants support the purchase of equipment tailored to regional workforce needs, benefiting multiple colleges and expanding access to high-quality education.

The Laurel Oaks Career Campus is a part of Great Oaks Career Campuses. The organization provides career-focused education through four campuses in southwestern Ohio. They offer high school students and adults opportunities to gain skills in various trades, healthcare, technology, and public safety, among others. Their mission is to prepare individuals for in-demand careers by providing hands-on training and partnerships with local industries, ensuring students are career-ready upon graduation.

According to his official bio page, Jon Husted was adopted and raised in Northwest Ohio's Williams County. He grew up with a strong foundation in faith, family, and hard work. After excelling as an All-American defensive back and earning advanced degrees from the University of Dayton, Husted contributed to economic development as vice president at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Husted's tenure as Secretary of State was marked by significant improvements in business processes, including reducing start-up costs and eliminating office fees, saving taxpayers millions. As House Speaker, he championed Ohio’s most conservative budget in decades with a historic income tax cut. Elected Lt. Governor in 2018, Husted continues to balance his public service with his roles as a husband to his wife Tina and father to their three children.