Toledo Reporter

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted recently visited Terra State Community College in Fremont to announce Super RAPIDS funding for new equipment in the Skilled Trades and Automation Technologies Hub. This funding will enable the college to accommodate an additional 114 students annually.

"The future of manufacturing is happening right here in Ohio, and it's happening at places like Terra State," Lt. Gov. Husted wrote in a Sept. 11 social media post on X.

According to 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.

Terra State Community College is a public two-year institution located in Fremont, Ohio. It offers associate degrees and certificates in various fields such as business, healthcare, information technology, and industrial technology. Founded in 1968, the college serves students in northwest Ohio and provides options for transfer to four-year universities. Terra State also features workforce development programs, including partnerships with local industries to address skill gaps in the region. The campus includes student housing, a music and arts center, and provides both in-person and online courses.

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.