(YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio)—Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel today joined state and local leaders to celebrate the start of renovation work on the future home of the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense, marking another milestone in Ohio’s efforts to strengthen advanced manufacturing, create jobs, and prepare Ohioans for careers in one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.

The renovated facility, located in the former Vindicator Printing Company building, will serve as the Innovation Hub’s headquarters and provide manufacturing space, research laboratories, offices, and workforce training areas designed to accelerate growth in advanced and additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3-D printing), while also strengthening the nation’s aerospace and defense supply chains.

“Today is about more than renovating a building. It’s about building opportunity for Ohioans,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “The Mahoning Valley has always been defined by the people who make things, solve problems, and never stop working toward a better future. This Innovation Hub builds on that proud tradition while preparing the next generation for in-demand careers in manufacturing.”

First announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Tressel in February 2025, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense is supported by a $26 million investment through the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Innovation Hubs Program, along with $36 million in local, federal, and private funding.

The Hub is being led by America Makes, the U.S. Department of War’s national manufacturing innovation institute for 3-D printing. With additional support from local partners including the Youngstown Business Incubator, Youngstown State University, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, and the City of Youngstown, the Hub is expected to generate approximately $161.6 million in economic impact and create 450 new jobs.

Once complete, the five-story, 130,000-square-foot facility will include manufacturing bays for advanced technology companies, shared laboratory space, research facilities, and training areas that will support the region’s workforce development efforts.

“The Youngstown Innovation Hub is no longer just an idea on a whiteboard or a vision of what could happen ‘someday,’” said Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik. “This Hub reflects the forward-thinking leadership of the DeWine Administration and the momentum building in every corner of the state. It’s already attracting investment, accelerating innovation, and creating new opportunities for the Mahoning Valley.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) also contributed $1.2 million through its Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program to support design and engineering work that helped prepare the site for redevelopment.

“We’re excited to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter of for Youngstown and the entire region,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Through the AMLER program, we’re able to invest in projects that transform communities, create economic opportunity, and build on the region’s rich history of creation and innovation.”

Following the ceremony, Lt. Governor Tressel toured the future Innovation Hub, viewing renderings and plans for the completed facility while meeting with project partners to discuss how the renovated space will support startup companies, research collaborations, workforce training, and continued growth in Ohio’s aerospace and defense manufacturing sector.

“Today’s groundbreaking of the Youngstown Innovation Hub represents much more than the start of a building renovation. It reflects what can happen when state, regional, industry, academic, and community partners come together around a shared vision for the future of manufacturing, aerospace, and defense innovation,” said Youngstown Innovation Hub Director Megan Malara, Ph.D. “This building will serve as a place where ideas become technologies, partnerships become investments, and innovation translates into economic opportunity for this region and beyond. This community has always been defined by its resilience, its work ethic, and its ability to reinvent itself. It is both exciting and rewarding to be part of an effort that is creating new opportunities for businesses, researchers, students, and the next generation of manufacturing talent.”

“It’s great to finally be transitioning from talking about this project to actually working on it,” said Barb Ewing, CEO of the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI), which hosted Thursday’s ceremony. “We appreciate all the support we’ve had from our political leaders and the community. YBI is proud to be a part of the project team that’s changing the trajectory of the Mahoning Valley.”

Media Contacts:

Ohio Department of Development
Mason Waldvogel, Chief Communications Officer
614-466-2609
Mason.Waldvogel@development.ohio.gov

Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Andy Chow, Chief Communications Officer
614-265-6860
Andy.Chow@dnr.ohio.gov

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