Cleveland Schools Receive $3.6 Million EDA Grant for Collinwood High School Project

Rachel Abbey McCafferty, Crain's

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District and the WorkRoom Program Alliance have received a $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help renovate Collinwood High School.

The grant will be used to turn 33,000 square feet of the school into an "adult technical training and workforce development facility," a news release stated. The project will be matched by $901,928 in local funds.

The release stated that the project is "expected to create 218 jobs, retain 819 jobs, and generate $15 million in private investment." Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo visited Cleveland on Thursday, Oct. 7, to learn more about the region's workforce training programs and its manufacturing sector.

"We are pleased to support this important partnership between WorkRoom Program Alliance and the Cleveland Municipal School District," Graves said in the release. "This EDA investment will establish a manufacturing workforce training center that will play a critical role in creating job opportunities and boosting the regional economy."

Castillo in the release said the renovated space will offer resources like "a machine shop, mechatronics labs, and leasable workspace and classrooms for community partners."

The district shared its vision for the redevelopment of Collinwood High School earlier this year.