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Montgomery County Receives $2.7 Million In Workforce Development Grants

Montgomery County Commision President Debbie Leiberman (center) and other county and business leaders annouce $2.7 million awarded to the county for workforce development.
Jerry Kenney
Montgomery County Commision President Debbie Leiberman (center) and other county and business leaders annouce $2.7 million awarded to the county for workforce development.

Montgomery County has announced $2.7 million in new federal and state funding for workforce development.

The county’s workforce division will use two U.S. Department of Labor grants to fund job training programs in manufacturing, logistics, and transportation. County officials say $2.4 million will help train about 1,000 residents for new careers, working in partnership with Sinclair Community College, Miami Valley Career Technology Center and employers seeking on-the-job training.

The county also announced that an additional $400,000 from the state will support job training, recruitment and hiring for the Fuyao Glass America plant.

John Gauthier, the CEO of Fuyao Glass America, says grants like this are critical for companies trying to get established in new communities.

“Especially for Fuyao, having really no prior Dayton ties and being fresh in the community, having those friendly faces and those friendly folk to help us through and give us support where needed is extremely critical,” he said at a press conference on Monday.

Fuyao is in the process of hiring more than 1,500 workers in the Dayton area. The Chinese-owned company plans to put $360 million dollars into redeveloping the former GM factory in Moraine.

Jerry began volunteering at WYSO in 1991 and hosting Sunday night's Alpha Rhythms in 1992. He joined the YSO staff in 2007 as Morning Edition Host, then All Things Considered. He's hosted Sunday morning's WYSO Weekend since 2008 and produced several radio dramas and specials . In 2009 Jerry received the Best Feature award from Public Radio News Directors Inc., and was named the 2023 winner of the Ohio Associated Press Media Editors Best Anchor/News Host award. His current, heart-felt projects include the occasional series Bulletin Board Diaries, which focuses on local, old-school advertisers and small business owners. He has also returned as the co-host Alpha Rhythms.