The objective of the Fostoria Learning Center is to increase the education attainment level of the residents of Fostoria, Ohio and the surrounding area by fostering a deep and rich community of lifelong learning.
Higher learning increases local economic development principally by increasing the quality of the local workforce and secondly by increasing local innovative ideas. Our region's competitive advantage depends entirely on the quality of its citizens and workforce, which is one of the reasons this initiative is so important. The Fostoria Learning Center provides an opportunity for the community to make a meaningful investment in its own residents while also becoming a compelling role model for other communities.
Fostoria is surrounded bu existing and successful 2-year and 4-year public and private institutions, in addition to technical and vocational training facilities. Our community will be partnering with these existing institutions to provide their programs in Fostoria. An important aspect of our partnership is establishing a strong link between the Fostoria Learning Center, area K-12 schools, business and industry, and the community as a whole. Using the Fostoria Learning Center as a community wide resource will help create the necessary critical mass of support needed to maintain and expand the Learning Center in the future.
The Fostoria Learning Center initiative began in 2010 in Fostoria. Originally, an FEDC led initiative it soon became its own entity. Throughout the last 6 years, a variety of tasks have been accomplished, including but not limited to:
Conducted a Feasibility Study
Identified initial funding sources/grants
Obtained 501c3 Status from the IRS
Developed working relationships with area Colleges/Universities/Career Centers
Initiated collaboration with state and local agencies
Launched the first and second cohorts of a Medical Assistant program
Launched a Phlebotomy program
Acquired a building; completed the design/layout; identified costs and began construction to be completed summer 2017
Received $800,000 from the State Capital Fund
The Fostoria Learning Center represents a unique approach to addressing community and wider regional needs with respect to degree attainment, expanded workforce training, and community outreach services. It is also an enterprise worthy of consideration as it addresses the human capital requirement needed in a 21st Century knowledge economy
