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Franklin County approves $300,000 grant for creative workforce program aimed at 18–28-year-olds
Summary
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved a $300,000 grant to Community Partners Youth Development Organization to run a nine-month creative workforce and entrepreneurship readiness program for 150 young adults, after commissioners questioned overlap with existing workforce programs and emphasized sustainability planning.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $300,000 grant agreement with Community Partners Youth Development Organization (CPYDO) to run a nine-month creative workforce and entrepreneurship readiness program serving 150 young adults ages 18–28.
The program, presented by Andrina Austin, director of Economic Engagement and Community Development, will offer intensive training in digital media, branding, generative AI, marketing strategies and business development, provide weekly studio workshops, mentorship and access to employer networks, and allow participants to earn up to 10 college credits through Franklin University. Austin described the effort as part of the county’s Rise Together blueprint for economic mobility and workforce development.
Commissioners pressed program staff on how CPYDO differs from other county-funded workforce efforts. Commissioner Crowley asked whether the initiative duplicated services offered by Ready-to-Work and the Columbus Fashion Alliance; Crowley said tracking duplication and coordination is important given limited resources. In response, Chris Jones, chief marketing officer at Warhol and Wall Street and a partner with the League of Creative Disrupters, said CPYDO focuses on entrepreneurial pipelines, freelance and content-creation careers and building vendor pipelines for local small businesses. “The challenge is no longer talent. It’s equitable opportunity for our residents,” Jones said, adding the program has supported more than 40 participants and helped launch small businesses.
County commissioners and staff emphasized that grants are intended to catalyze sustainable activity and urged program leaders to plan for ongoing funding beyond the county award. The measure passed by roll call vote.
The board scheduled the program to begin as part of the county’s workforce portfolio; county staff said they would continue coordination with partner agencies and track outcomes such as business launches, income gains and participant credentialing.
Provenance: topic introduced in the transcript at SEG 281 and the discussion and vote conclude at SEG 539.
