Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel joined state and local leaders today to celebrate the start of renovation work on the future Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace and Defense, marking a significant step in strengthening advanced manufacturing, creating jobs, and preparing Ohioans for careers in a rapidly growing industry.
The renovated facility, located in the former Vindicator Printing Company building, will serve as the Innovation Hub’s headquarters. It will 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.
Lt. Governor Tressel emphasized the project's broader impact, saying, "Today is about more than renovating a building. It’s about building opportunity for Ohioans." He added that the Mahoning Valley has always been defined by its people who make things and solve problems, and this Hub builds on that tradition while preparing the next generation for in-demand manufacturing careers.
First announced in February 2025 by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Tressel, the Youngstown Innovation Hub is supported by a $26 million investment through the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Innovation Hubs Program. This is complemented by an additional $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 support from local partners including the Youngstown Business Incubator, Youngstown State University, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, and the City of Youngstown, the project is expected to generate approximately $161.6 million in economic impact and create 450 new jobs.
Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said, "This Hub reflects the forward-thinking leadership of the DeWine Administration and the momentum building in every corner of the state." 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.
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. Youngstown Innovation Hub Director Megan Malara, Ph.D., noted that the building will serve as a place "where ideas become technologies, partnerships become investments, and innovation translates into economic opportunity for this region and beyond."