CANFIELD — The Mahoning County Career & Technical Center is among more than 30 schools in Ohio that will receive some of the nearly $200 million from the state to expand and modernize education and training facilities.

It was announced Friday the share for the school in Canfield is $11.4 million, which will be used to enlarge and construct new education space for programs that include engineering, manufacturing, electricity, computer networking and cybersecurity, welding and AI systems.

The grant “not only strengthens our current support of local employers, but also ensures that a greater number of students can access these invaluable programs,” John Zehentbauer, superintendent, said.

“We can now offer a broader range of cutting-edge training programs, bridging the gap between students’ aspirations and employers’ needs, ultimately fostering a stronger, more prosperous community for all,” he said.

The funding through the Career Technical Construction Program is meant to be used to build and expand classrooms and training centers at joint vocational, compact and comprehensive school district in Ohio for programming that includes engineering, manufacturing and health sciences.

Fifty-nine schools applied for a grant; 35 were awarded funding.

“Ohio is on the rise. We have 54 companies coming to or expanding their operations into Ohio, creating thousands of jobs,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “We need all hands on deck to support this economic growth, and that’s why it’s vital that we help our career centers expand.”

Other schools in the region that received funding were Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus, $6 million for criminal justice and firefighter / EMT programs; and Six District Educational Campus in Portage County, $2.3 million for advanced manufacturing, engineering, and electronics, robotics and programming.

In addition, four schools in Stark County received funding.

Also Friday, the state announced the launch of the first application period for the Career Technical Education Equipment Grant Program.

The funding opportunity is open for all schools in Ohio that need to upgrade equipment to teach students with equipment Ohio businesses use in the workplace. Funding may be used to purchase equipment and machinery, software, classroom supplies and instructional materials or pay for operational costs and curriculum.

The application period closes Dec. 15.

“This significant investment means more than just state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge equipment. It’s an affirmation to every student, parent, teacher and employer in Ohio that we believe in the potential and promise of CTE (career and technical education,” Dee Smith, executive director, Ohio Association of Career Technical Education, said. “Ohio is not just investing in facilities and equipment; we are investing in dreams, aspirations, and the very future of our state.”