YOUNGSTOWN, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik on Feb 27th, announced that Ohio will establish a new Innovation Hub in Youngstown to advance additive manufacturing technology in support of the national defense industry.  

Funded with $26 million from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program and $36 million in local, federal, and private investment, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense will bring together government, academia, and private sector industry partners to transform the region into the global epicenter for additive manufacturing.  

Known more commonly as 3-D printing, additive manufacturing is the process of creating three-dimensional objects one layer at a time. This technology has revolutionized the production of military equipment through the rapid creation of complex and customized parts, limiting the overreliance on foreign manufacturing. 

“Building on the region’s deep manufacturing roots, Youngstown has spent the last decade establishing itself as a leader in the research, development, and commercialization of additive technology,” said Governor DeWine. “With support from the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, partners will now have added capacity to drive critical advancements in the defense and aerospace industries by transforming the way military equipment is made and strengthening our country’s national defense supply chains.”  

The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense will be led by America Makes, founded in Youngstown in 2012 as the U.S. Department of Defense’s national manufacturing innovation institute for additive manufacturing.  Additional partners include the Youngstown Business Incubator, Youngstown State University, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, and the City of Youngstown.   

“Partners in this region have been laying the foundation for the Youngstown Innovation Hub for years, and it’s incredibly moving to see their hard work pay off,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “On Feb 27th’s announcement is a victory for this community, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.” 

The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense will be located at the Vindicator II building on West Front Street, previously the site of the Youngstown Vindicator’s printing operations. The building will undergo extensive renovations to house large, complex 3-D printing equipment and attract and accommodate additive manufacturing companies. 

By 2029, the collaboration is expected to yield approximately $161.6 million in economic impact and create 450 new jobs, including 100 new construction jobs. To support the continued growth of the additive manufacturing industry over the long term, partners will also focus on comprehensive workforce development initiatives to upskill the current workforce and ensure the region’s future workforce has the skills and knowledge to drive the Hub's growth.  These efforts are expected to create 185 new STEM credential opportunities and 40 internship opportunities. 

“The Ohio Innovation Hubs Program is a direct investment in Ohio’s people and communities,” said Director Mihalik. “We’re ensuring that the next breakthroughs in additive manufacturing are proudly ‘Made in Ohio.’ Beyond the technology developed here, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense will drive lasting economic growth and create opportunities that will benefit this region and its people for generations to come.” 

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources will also contribute $1.2 million to support Youngstown's new Innovation Hub through a program that offers grants for economic development projects that benefit regions impacted by decades of coal mining. 

“The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense will be a catalyst for strengthening both current and emerging supply chain manufacturing connections within the Mahoning Valley’s aerospace and defense sectors,” said Kimberly Gibson, Ecosystem Director at America Makes. “By enhancing these industries' capabilities and expanding their market presence, the Hub will not only boost local industrial capacity but also pave the way for cutting-edge solutions to meet Ohio’s evolving needs. Additionally, the technologies commercialized through the Hub for aerospace and defense will ripple into other sectors, including energy, medical devices, construction, and semiconductors. With its focus on enabling technology and optimizing core manufacturing processes, the Hub positions additive manufacturing as a key force in driving the future of these diverse industries—ushering in a new era of innovation and economic growth.” 

"I'd like to thank Governor DeWine for helping further our vision for the future of Youngstown,” said Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown. “The Innovation Hub is not only an anchor to the other economic investments we’ve made to bring our downtown back, but it cements Youngstown as the national leader in additive manufacturing and creates technology-based jobs right here that will attract and retain the best and brightest.” 

The DeWine Administration developed the $125 million Innovation Hubs Program in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly to spur investment outside Ohio's major metro areas. Like the Innovation Districts located in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, Innovation Hubs combine the talents of leading academic and research institutions, workforce and economic development partners, and private companies to gain a competitive advantage through collaboration.?

The new Innovation Hub in Youngstown is the fourth Innovation Hub in the state, preceded by last year’s creation of the Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub near Toledo, the onMain Innovation Hub in Dayton, and the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub.  The Ohio Innovation Hubs Program has also awarded two $450,000 planning grants to support early-stage innovation hub planning in Athens and Piketon.

Other partners contributing to the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense include Additive Engineering Solutions, BDI Additive, Center Street Technologies, COMPCO Industries, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, EOS, Hexagon, Humtown Products, JobsOhio, JuggerBot 3D, Lake to River Economic Development, Mahoning County Board of Commissioners, National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, Nottingham Spirk, Ohio Aerospace Institute, Regional Chamber Foundation, Stratasys, TEAM NEO, The Association for Manufacturing Technology, The Youngstown Foundation, The Brilex Companies, TMI, Inc, Ursa Major, Vince & Phyllis Bacon, Western Reserve Port Authority, XJET, and Youngstown State University Foundation. 

“This truly represents the best of the Mahoning Valley,” said Barb Ewing, CEO of the Youngstown Business Incubator. “This community came together to achieve this goal. Without the support of our local government, nonprofit, industry, and academic leadership, we wouldn’t be standing here today. We’re grateful for everyone’s support – and confidence – in the project team’s ability to turn this dream into reality.” 

"Additive manufacturing, especially in the cutting-edge industries of aerospace and defense, gives the Mahoning Valley a sustainable, competitive advantage to grow its economy. In Gov. Mike DeWine and other state leaders, including former Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, we have individuals who recognize that advantage; who are bullish on the Valley economy; who made yet another bold decision to propel our region forward. We are grateful," said Guy Coviello, President & CEO, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. "Projects like this, which is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, as well as provide upskilling opportunities in advanced manufacturing through Youngstown State University and connect interns with businesses, are the reason why the Regional Chamber has launched initiatives to improve the Valley’s housing stock, remove barriers to workforce participation, and grow the region’s population by retaining, receiving, and returning talent.” 

With the addition of the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense, Ohio's four Innovation Hubs are expected to have a combined economic impact of $1.02 billion by 2031, with 6,450 new jobs and 6,000 STEM internships, STEM graduates/technical certifications, and STEM credentials.  

For more information on the Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, visit the Ohio Department of Development’s website.