VIENNA — Youngstown State University looks to drive traffic to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport as it promotes its aviation and commercial driver’s license programs.

An open house and ribbon cutting will take place 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at the airport’s Hangar No. 2 to spotlight its newest offerings to be taught this fall.

“The aviation industry and the trucking industry are two of the industries that have been hit the hardest with workforce issues,” YSU President Bill Johnson said at last week’s Western Reserve Port Authority board meeting.

“It is really, really difficult to move commerce, goods, services and business when you can’t fly, when you can’t move goods and services across the country.”

Working together, YSU and the port authority seek to address the workforce gaps in the two industries.

Visitors at the open house will have the opportunity to explore the training facilities, examine aviation and CDL equipment, and interact with instructors and admissions counselors who will provide guidance on the application and enrollment process.

The $5.5 million YNG Aviation Education Center, which is under construction, will house the two programs. The center will cover 18,000-square feet on airport property.

The two programs originally were offered by the now-defunct Eastern Gateway Community College. The college, based in Steubenville, ended operations in late 2024.

A spokesman with the Ohio Department of Higher Education said Tuesday that state Chancellor Mike Duffey approved YSU’s request to offer an Associate of Applied Science in Aviation degree. Duffey received the department’s recommendation to allow YSU to proceed on June 18.

The university will offer two CDL programs: one that lasts four weeks and consists of 160 hours, and another that runs for two weeks for a total of 80 hours. Both feature a three-hour HAZMAT class.