CINCINNATI (AP) - A Cincinnati-Dayton aerospace corridor was named Wednesday among 12 initial Manufacturing Communities in an effort by President Barack Obama’s administration to boost manufacturing and long-term economic development.
The Southwestern Ohio Aerospace Region along Interstate 75, with 27 counties stretching into northern Kentucky, was cited in a Department of Commerce statement for coordinated efforts to expand training and add small manufacturers for aerospace needs.
The region, rich in aviation history, is home to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton and the General Electric Co.’s Aviation unit just north of Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati and Dayton city governments, regional development groups and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce are among partners in the plans, which include increasing workforce education and training for aerospace jobs, such as offering up to 20,000 internships by 2020. The regional plan involving local universities and colleges also aims to increase aerospace research and development.
The designated communities were chosen from 70 applicants. They’ll work with multiple federal agencies with $1.3 billion available in funds for targeted investments in public-private partnerships, officials said.
“Any time we can combine our efforts to give us a competitive advantage at securing those grants, it’s a good thing,” Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said in a statement. “Each city can build on each other’s strengths, which helps our region and the entire state.”
The head of the Dayton Development Coalition, Jeff Hoagland, said the designation strengthens the region’s ability to compete in the aerospace manufacturing industry.
The Obama administration plans a second round of community competition.
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