Butler County Commissioners approve additional funding for Miami manufacturing hub

Butler County's Board of Commissioners approved Miami University's request for an additional $5 million grant for the advanced manufacturing workforce and innovation hub in Hamilton.

The innovation hub is a collaboration between the Butler County Board of Commissioners, Miami University, Butler Tech and the City of Hamilton, according to a Miami University press release. The additional funding from the commissioners matches a new state grant for the project.

The commissioners' additional funding will include $4 million from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and $1 million from the county's general fund, said Board of Commissioners Administrator Judi Boyko. Butler County received $74.4 million in ARPA funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The commissioners have until Dec. 31 this year to allocate the remaining $7.1 million in ARPA money, and Boyko said the $4 million for the hub will come from that funding.

At the July 15 meeting, Commissioner Donald Dixon said with the extra allotment, this is the most funding they have ever put into a single project, totaling $17 million.

During public comment, Andy Durojaiye, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science at Miami University and vice president for the regional campuses, said he's excited to have the board's continued support and support from the state legislature.

"This will be something that targets underserved populations and vulnerable populations," Durojaiye said. "And when you understand that Ohio's manufacturing economy continues to grow and [be] one of the best in the nation, we want to be at the center of that and because of you all's generosity, we will be."

Dixon added that in years to come he believes people will duplicate this project across the country.

During Boyko's administrator's report, she said at next week's meeting, the board will decide whether the levy for Mental Health Addiction and Recovery Services Board will be on November's ballot.

Stillwell Beckett Road will be closed from July 15-19 for a culvert replacement, according to the meeting agenda. The closure extends from Lanes Mill Road to Morman Road, according to the Butler County Engineer's Office.

The next weekly meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. July 22 at the Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave.