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West Branch awarded Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant

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The West Branch Local School District was awarded an $832,470.43 Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant for Innovation and Expansion to expand the district’s career preparation programming Monday. Pictured from left are Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Gov. Mike DeWine and West Branch Superintendent Micki Egli. (Photo courtesy Ryan Wolf)

BELOIT -- The West Branch Local School District has been awarded an Ohio Career Technical Education Equipment Grant for Innovation and Expansion to improve the district's career technical program.

According to a press release issued by the district, the grant which totals $832,470.43 will give the district "the ability to expand its educational offerings, particularly in the fields of welding, industrial maintenance, business, and audio/visual broadcasting." Of 178 total districts which applied, West Branch was one of only 56 to be awarded funding.

This funding will be used to enhance the district's welding lab adding new "welders and state-of-the-art equipment," providing student enrolled in the program with new advanced resources and equipment "to hone their skills in this critical trade."

The release also says that grant funding will be used to grow the district's industrial maintenance program as it enters its second year, acquire new equipment including robotics technology, and "reinvent its business classes into an innovation lab." This lab will host new equipment and resources "tailored to design and production," which will promote creativity, entrepreneurship, and practical skills, and offer students "the opportunity to operate their own business with products that they design and create."

Grant funding will also be invested in an "audio/visual cart," to enhance broadcasting capabilities throughout the school district, and provide students with opportunities to gain experience in media production and broadcasting and prepare them for careers in the media field.

According to the release, the district "looks forward to implementing these enhancements and continuing to empower students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today's competitive workforce."

The release also notes that the grant award "highlights West Branch Local Schools' commitment to providing high-quality education and preparing students for success in college, careers, and beyond."

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