Elyria to continue Skill City partnership with LCCC, authorizes up to $100,000 for 2026

The Elyria Community Development Committee voted to recommend legislation authorizing continuation of the Elyria Skill City program with Lorain County Community College (LCCC) for calendar year 2026 with funding not to exceed $100,000.

Director Scott said the program, established in March 2021, provides tuition gap scholarships to eligible Elyria residents so they can complete industry-recognized credentials and workforce training. Scott noted roughly $60,000 remained from the prior agreement that expired in 2025; the requested authorization is for up to $100,000 in 2026, which staff said is available in the development fund.

Cynthia (Cindy) Kushner of Lorain County Community College provided program metrics: about 285 enrolled students since inception, an average award of roughly $1,100 per student, approximately 169 graduates to date, and participants concentrated in advanced manufacturing, IT and health-care programs. Kushner said students may "stack" certificates to pursue family-sustaining jobs and that career-services and employer partnerships support placement efforts. Committee members asked about stackability and placement; Kushner said stacking certificates is encouraged and that LCCC staff work on employer connections and career-services outreach.

Members voted to recommend drafting legislation to continue the program; the committee also noted the prior unspent funds would be rolled back into the purchase order and staff would open a new purchase order for the new agreement.