Ohio Manufacturers: $50,000 Grants and a $26M Hub Program Now Open in Mahoning Valley

If you own or operate a small manufacturing business in northeastern Ohio, a major new funding opportunity is now open. The Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense — backed by a $26 million investment from the Ohio Department of Development — is actively connecting manufacturers to grants, factory space, and government contracts.

What Grants Are Available?

Through the Hub's partnership with JobsOhio, businesses in the Lake to River region (Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula, and Columbiana counties) can access:

• Small business grants up to $50,000
• Job creation tax credits
• R&D loans and grants
• Workforce training support
• Talent attraction incentives — including a $15,000-per-candidate relocation incentive (the "Find Your Ohio" program)

What Else Does the Hub Offer?

Beyond grants, the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) provides:

• No-cost mentorship for advanced manufacturing startups
• Office space at $6 per square foot and manufacturing space at $8 per square foot
• Grant navigation support
• Access to a soon-to-open 530,000-square-foot facility with 100,000 sq ft dedicated to manufacturing
• Connections to Department of Defense and prime contractor supply chains

Real Numbers

The Hub projects $100M–$162M in economic impact over three years, 450 new jobs, and 185 STEM certifications. One early participant, LeapFast Manufacturing, secured $100,000 through a Hub intellectual property generation proposal after relocating to Youngstown from Alabama.

Who Is This For?

The program targets:

• Small and mid-sized manufacturers in Ohio's Lake to River region
• Startups in defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing
• Businesses looking to compete for federal/DoD contracts

How to Get Started

Contact the Youngstown Business Incubator or Lake to River Economic Development directly to discuss grant eligibility and the application process:

• Youngstown Business Incubator (ybi.org)
• Lake to River Economic Development
• JobsOhio Programs (jobsohio.com)

Source: The Vindicator

Looking for grants in your state? Explore programs at GrantNavigation.com.