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Committee refers $184,000 ARPA award to support supply-chain and air-mobility workforce project
Summary
The Cuyahoga County economic development committee voted to refer a $184,000 ARPA grant for Manufacturing Works' Supply Chain and Workforce Alignment Project ("SWAP") to full council for second reading; presenters said the project will focus on drone/LIDAR training, youth outreach and supply-chain connections tied to advanced air mobility.
The Cuyahoga County Economic Development & Planning Committee on Jan. 27 voted to favorably refer Resolution 20250003, a proposal to award up to $184,000 from District 2 ARPA funds to Manufacturing Works for the Supply Chain and Workforce Alignment Project ("SWAP").
Manufacturing Works outreach and development officer Marilyn Moshenski introduced the project and said the organization brought partners including Baldwin Wallace University and local small businesses. Chelsea Trembach of Critical Ops led the presentation, describing drone-based remote sensing and LIDAR training used in an eight-week after-school program at Berea Midpark Middle School. Trembach said the initiative aims to build a regional advanced-air-mobility pipeline that could support manufacturing jobs and improve infrastructure inspections.
Councilman Miller, who sponsored the district ARPA allocation, said the project would leverage the county’s proximity to NASA Glenn Research Center and help develop an aerospace ecosystem. Miller moved to refer the resolution to full council for second reading; the motion was seconded and approved in committee.
Presenters outlined performance benchmarks that include a customer-discovery/business-analysis report to be shared publicly, at least two youth-engagement benchmarks modeled on the Berea partnership, and development of a VR and MRO center as program milestones. Critical Ops said the project expects to generate 25 full-time permanent jobs and cited industry growth projections, which the presenter described as a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity by 2035.
The referral places the resolution on track for second reading and potential passage by the full council on Feb. 11. Committee members did not adopt additional conditions in committee; staff noted ARPA awards require three full council readings before final approval.
