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Submarine Cincinnati Memorial group briefs Warren County on VOA site, STEM plans and funding
Summary
Project executives told Warren County commissioners the full-size USS Cincinnati replica at the Voice of America Museum will pair a STEM education center with a waterfront replica and pier, target a May 2026 construction completion, and still needs roughly $2 million to finish its education components and software.
Bob Viney, identified by the county as vice president and project executive for the Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Association, told Warren County commissioners that the project now sited at the Voice of America Museum is intended as a regional memorial and STEM education venue.
Viney said the memorial will use parts from the USS Cincinnati and will include three major physical elements: a full-size replica moored by a wharf and pier, an overlook/assembly area he called the WARP, and a STEM Education Center with hands-on exhibits, interactive kiosks and a mock control room. "Peace is our Purpose," Viney said, describing the site's mission to link Cold War history and VOA's broadcasting legacy to educational programming.
The presentation stressed outreach to local school districts (Lakota, Mason and Indian Hill), JROTC/Sea Cadets programs and nonprofit partners such as Adopt A Class. Viney said the project has already planned grade-specific programming and has subject-matter experts working with local educators to convert technical submarine systems into age-appropriate lessons for fourth-, eighth- and twelfth-grade students.
Viney cited an economic-impact analysis reviewed by the Delaware County treasurer and auditor that estimated an annual benefit to the greater Cincinnati area between $6,900,000 and $27,600,000. He told commissioners the physical elements are funded — including a single anonymous donor who provided roughly 80% of that portion — but that the education program, software and kiosks total about $800,000, with roughly $100,000 already donated. "So we need we need to raise about another 2,000,000 to fully complete the part," he said.
On schedule, Viney said construction target completion is May 2026 with a planned grand-opening weekend around Memorial Day; other milestone events (July 4, Veterans Day) were discussed for programming and community use. Viney also identified opportunities for outreach to shipbuilders and corporate partners and said the group has solicited responses from companies including Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls as well as the Cincinnati Reds for a $100,000 refurbishment request tied to an on-site artifact.
During questions, commissioners praised the outreach goals and noted the project's potential to attract youth and visitors to the VOA site. Viney described partnerships and pilot outreach (for example, a plan to bring 500 fifth-graders from targeted schools) and said the memorial would offer both public programming and field-trip experiences that highlight STEM workforce pathways.
The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking Viney and moving on to subsequent business.
The memorial group and county staff did not report use of taxpayer funding for design, construction or upkeep; Viney said the project is pursuing an endowment to fund maintenance over time.
