Workroom Program and CMSD Awarded $3.6 Million to Establish a Workforce Training Center in Collinwood H.S.

Oct 12, 2021

Cleveland (Oct. 12, 2021) – The Workroom Program Alliance and the Cleveland Municipal School District were awarded a $3.6 million grant by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to establish a workforce training center within Collinwood High School.

The award, announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, will be used to renovate a 33,000-square-foot space within Collinwood H.S. for use as an adult technical training and workforce development facility. This EDA project, to be matched with $901,928 in local funds, is expected to create 218 jobs, retain 819 jobs, and generate $15 million in private investment.

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo visited Cleveland on Monday, October 11 to learn more about and support Cleveland’s vital manufacturing sector and workforce training programs.

“President Biden is committed to building a skilled workforce that supports our nation’s manufacturing sector,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo in a release. “This exciting EDA investment provides job opportunities for residents in several distressed Cleveland neighborhoods while meeting the demand of local manufacturers for high-skilled workers.”

“We are pleased to support this important partnership between Workroom Program Alliance and the Cleveland Municipal School District,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves in a release. “This EDA investment will establish a manufacturing workforce training center that will play a critical role in creating job opportunities and boosting the regional economy.”

“This new facility will have key resources – including a machine shop, mechatronics labs, and leasable workspace and classrooms for community partners – this project will expand opportunity for the community and provide the trained workforce that is needed to strengthen Cleveland’s vital manufacturing sector,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo.

Cleveland Councilman Mike Polensek, a proud graduate of Collinwood High School, has been a vocal voice for finding a new use for the historic school after CMSD announced they wanted to permanently close the school. Councilman Polensek called for the re-inventing of the school, once the largest high school in the state of Ohio.

Local manufacturing business leaders associated with the Cleveland Industrial Innovation Center (CiiC) on St. Clair Avenue, as well as the Urban League, have made it clear that it has become increasingly difficult to find skilled employees, especially in the manufacturing field and building trades.

“This announcement is exactly what the City of Cleveland and the Greater Collinwood community needs,” Councilman Polensek said. “I want to thank Cleveland native Don Graves for not forgetting about us and for seeing the need local companies have in getting a trained workforce. There are good paying jobs out there, they just need skilled workers.”

Councilman Anthony Hairston echoed Councilman Polensek’s words and said, “Cleveland is the perfect place for this new manufacturing workforce training center. It is a great reuse of Collinwood High School, especially since it sits in such an important geographical area.”

“These kind of investments by the Biden administration help to close the gap for training city residents, which ultimately eliminates disparities and income inequities,” Councilman Polensek and Councilman Hairston both said.

There is more planning coming down the line and future updates will be forthcoming by the Friends of Collinwood High School and CMSD.

Contact Councilman Polensek at 216-664-4236 or Councilman Hairston at 216-664-4743.