Congress approves $9.5 million for Columbus State hub for advanced manufacturing education

U.S. Sens. Husted and Moreno were key advocates for the Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies 

Campus News | Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Columbus State’s work to prepare central Ohioans for good-paying jobs in advanced manufacturing got a major boost this week when Congress approved $9.5 million for the Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies as part of a broader federal funding bill.

Ohio U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno championed OCAT throughout the 2026 federal budget process, reflecting the project’s importance in workforce and economic development. OCAT will be a new academic building focused on preparing students for jobs in industries vital to central Ohio’s growth including information technology, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology.

“We’re grateful for the support for Sens. Husted and Moreno, whose work will help expand economic prosperity in Ohio,” said Columbus State President David Harrison. “OCAT will be an engine to drive the region’s workforce, creating an exciting pathway to great jobs and high-growth careers for students from all backgrounds.”

With the Congressional action, OCAT now will be funded with a combination of federal, state and local sources. The Ohio General Assembly provided $20 million for OCAT in 2024, and the college has committed at least $30 million from the bond issue approved by Franklin County voters in 2020 toward the project. The college is finalizing pre-design work that will help determine the size and cost of the building, but initial concepts call for a building of up to 100,000 square feet and cost in the $60 million range.

“Columbus State’s Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies will prepare Ohioans for in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing – strengthening our workforce and powering economic growth across the state. I was proud to secure $9.5 million to support the construction of this new 100,000-square-foot facility to ensure Ohio remains a national leader in manufacturing. You cannot do Made in America without Made in Ohio, and this investment will help ensure we continue to have a skilled workforce to make it happen,” said Senator Husted.

“Ohio is leading America’s manufacturing renaissance, and I’m proud to have helped secure $9.5 million for the Columbus State Community College’s Ohio Center for Advanced Technologies to equip Ohioans with the skills to drive long-term economic growth across the state,” said Senator Moreno. “This investment is a testament to the unmatched talent and potential of Ohio’s workforce.”

Major employers such as Amgen, Andelyn Biosciences, Anduril, Honda/LG, Intel and Worthington Enterprises are driving unprecedented demand for skilled labor throughout the region. As the region’s workforce partner, Columbus State has been working to expand the talent pipeline through its engineering technology, biotechnology and IT programs.

“An expanding number of technology-focused investments have helped make the Columbus metro one of the most dynamic and fast-growing economies in the U.S.,” said Jason Hall, CEO of the Columbus Partnership. “To help prepare our fellow residents for these high-paying opportunities, we need to invest in proven regional partners like Columbus State so that they can equip our residents with the new skills they need to succeed, particularly in high-tech manufacturing. We thank Sens. Husted and Moreno for their leadership and partnership that moved at the speed of business to make OCAT a reality.”

OCAT is being planned for a college parking lot at the southeast corner of Cleveland Avenue and East Spring Street, just south of the construction site for Columbus State’s new healthcare education building, OhioHealth Hall. Design work is expected to start in the first half of 2026. The architectural firm Moody Nolan will design the building, and the Daimler Group will act as the Construction Manager at Risk.

OCAT is part of a six-acre set of parking lots between Cleveland Avenue, East Spring Street, West Washington Avenue, and East Long Street being planned for redevelopment by the college’s independent real estate affiliate, Columbus State Community Partners.

This area will also be home to a new Columbus State YMCA that will offer both a community fitness center, with space for drop-in childcare dedicated for Columbus State students. Design work is starting on that $36 million, 55,000-square-foot building, which is expected to be completed by August 2028.

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