Lorain County commissioners on Nov. 21 approved a memorandum of understanding to coordinate workforce development services among the county, the Lorain County Workforce Development Board and partners including Ohio Means Jobs, Lorain County Job and Family Services, LCC Aspire, JVS, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and Vantage Aging.

The MOU was presented with multi‑year funding figures: $294,966.50 for program year 2025 and $3,302,950.16 for program year 2026; it was described as retroactive to July 2025 and running through June 2027. Director David Blevins (identified on the record) said the county recently held a major regional hiring event with about 175 employers and up to 2,000 job‑seekers and said Lorain County regularly ranks in the top counties in the state for placing people in jobs.

Blevins explained that the local Perkins Act implementation and partnerships with schools and training providers are intended to align training with employer needs so that the county can supply workers should large employers locate in the area. He said the workforce office has moved from paper records toward digital tools and will use grant funds for marketing and outreach as part of the MOU.

Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the MOU. The transcript records supportive comments from multiple commissioners and invited staff to continue coordinating partners.