Work-force agencies seek more state funds

By GRACE WYLER

gwyler@vindy.com

boardman

Work-force programs and agencies in Mahoning and Columbiana counties — including One-Stop services and job-training programs — could see their budgets cut by half next year if the state does not step in to provide additional funding.

The budget for the Mahoning and Columbiana Training Association — which oversees the administration and finances of both counties’ work-force- investment programs — could drop from $10 million to $5 million when the next fiscal year begins July 1, MCTA director Bert Cene said at the monthly Workforce Investment Board meeting Wednesday.

The board oversees all work-force-related activities in Mahoning and Columbiana counties, including all job-education and training operations and the local One-Stop centers.

“It is a vicious cycle,” said Workforce Investment Board chairwoman Deann Davis. “When the funding goes down, there are more people we need to serve.”

The potential budget shortfall is due partly to the absence of federal stimulus funds, Cene said.

The MCTA used all of the $3.5 million the agency received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last year to expand its services, Cene said.

“We expanded capacity, so we no longer have the money, but we are going into next year with more obligations.” Cene said. “We can’t keep cutting because we will reach the point of diminishing returns.”

To make up for the budget shortfall, the MCTA has asked the state for $1.25 million in additional funding, Cene said.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which oversees work-force development, already has agreed to send “rapid response” funds to all of the state’s local work-force- investment areas.

Area 17, which encompasses Mahoning and Columbiana counties, will receive $378,875, Cene said.

The state also has applied for a $15 million National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand its on-the-job-training program. The program reimburses businesses that offer job training to new hires for up to 50 percent of training costs.

The MCTA will continue to push the state to provide additional funding before July 1, Cene said.