Robbins Announces $770,000 to Support Precision Manufacturing Institute

Includes funds to aid new Regional Education and Technology Center.

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) today announced that he has secured $770,000 in state funds to help Precision Manufacturing Institute make more training available in the local tooling industry.

PMI, which recently relocated to their new facility in the Precision Manufacturing Technology and Education Center located at the Meadville Bessemer Commerce Park, uses equipment and training to produce a skilled workforce in the Meadville area. The funding includes a $20,000 grant to help PMI equip computer classrooms at its new location. Seven straight years Robbins successfully secured funding in the budget for PMI, which serves a region where more than 26 percent of jobs are in manufacturing. The total financial commitment from the Commonwealth to PMI over the past seven years has been nearly $5 million.

"I'm committed to helping Precision Manufacturing Institute train local workers because a skilled workforce attracts and keeps employers," said Robbins. "And the Regional Education and Technology Center will add specialized academic training to the technical training already available at PMI. This sends a clear message to businesses that our region is the place to be if you want a skilled, educated workforce."

"PMI operates as one of the only Non-Profit Industrial training centers in Northwest, Pennsylvania, and our success is due largely in part to the financial help and commitment that Senator Robbins has been able to secure from the state for PMI. Without this support, PMI would not be able to provide the training that is so critical to Manufacturing and to industry," said Jerry Knight, Executive Director of Precision Manufacturing Institute.

PMI works closely with Edinboro University and has agreements with other colleges, universities, vo-techs and school districts in the region to train students. PMI serves a 45-mile-wide area around Meadville that includes 276 tooling and machine shops with nearly 9,650 employees and an economic impact of approximately $250 million in wages and $2.5 billion in sales

CONTACT:

Mike Hengst
(717) 787-1322