BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The NC State Crawford Success Center celebrated the grand opening of the new Timken Foundation Electro-Mechanical Lab with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today. Attendees included local leaders from North Central State College (NCSC), the Crawford Success Center, the Crawford County community, Timken and the Timken Foundation, and the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce. The lab, funded by a generous donation of advanced manufacturing equipment from the Timken Foundation, will provide students with hands-on training in essential skills needed to support the local manufacturing sector.
The establishment of the Timken Electro-Mechanical Lab comes at a pivotal time when local employers are seeking a skilled workforce. Chris Copper, vice president for the North Central State College Foundation, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “There has been a lot of work that has gone into opening our first manufacturing lab. This vision grew out of our partnerships with local manufacturing companies, who expressed the need to develop entry-level skills so that workers can enter the workforce ready to contribute from day one.”
Dr. Dorey Diab, President of North Central State College, highlighted the ongoing collaboration crucial to the success of the Crawford Success Center. “When we established the Crawford Success Center in 2015, we talked about the need for strong partnerships—government, donors, and businesses—working together to support manufacturing. We’re pleased to continue that support, as manufacturing remains our region’s number one business sector.”
“Timken’s role in helping raise educational attainment and offering professional training is invaluable, not only for their employees but for the broader community as well,” Diab added.
The partnership with Timken is essential to ensuring that local students are prepared to meet the growing demands of the manufacturing industry. Bob Timken, President of Timken Foundation, congratulated the community on its commitment to workforce development. “I’m thrilled to be here today to congratulate North Central State College and the Crawford County community,” he said.
“Sustainable career development opportunities like this are essential to a community’s growth. North Central’s forward-thinking approach to workforce development will be critical as we continue to strengthen manufacturing in the United States,” Timken continued.
The Timken Electro-Mechanical Lab will provide students with access to state-of-the-art equipment and hands-on learning experiences, bridging the skills gap faced by local employers. Nate Harvey, director of the Crawford Success Center, reflected on the significance of the new facility. “We’re not just opening a new lab—we’re creating a space where students can gain real-world skills that will empower local employers. This initiative will provide the training our community desperately needs, and I’m excited for what lies ahead. The best is yet to come.”
The new lab is part of a broader effort at the Crawford Success Center to provide a range of educational programs and resources to students. Casie Grau, executive director of the Crawford County Chamber of Commerce, noted, “In addition to the Timken Foundation Electro-Mechanical Lab, the Crawford Success Center offers state-of-the-art technology, professional development programs, general education courses, and even a practical nursing lab. This new lab will further enhance the ability to serve students and prepare them for rewarding careers.”