Fairfield County Celebrates Grand Opening of Newly Renovated Workforce Center

Article presented by The Bean Foundation …

CARROLL, Ohio — The Fairfield County Commissioners officially celebrated the newly renovated Workforce Center Wednesday, April 1, 2026 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility on Coonpath Road.

The event brought together students, educators, business leaders, and elected officials to mark a major investment in workforce development and career readiness in Fairfield County. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the upgraded facility, that now features a state-of-the-art healthcare training area, modern construction labs, and expanded public meeting spaces designed to better serve the community.

The program included remarks from a student, elected officials, and community leaders, highlighting the center’s role in preparing the region’s workforce for in-demand careers.

Special guests in attendance included Sen. Tim Schaffer, Reps. Jeff LaRe and Kevin Miller, Fairfield County Commissioner Dave Levacy, Fairfield Medical Center CEO Jack Janoso, and Matt Damschroder, Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Each emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between education and industry to support economic growth and opportunity across the region.

Jason Thompson, a 2024 graduate of the Fairfield County Workforce Center and current employee of Fairfield Insulation and Drywall, LLC, spoke to the crowd about the success he found both as a student and as a graduate of the Pre-Apprentice program. “The Workforce Center guided me on a path that I honestly didn’t know was available to me,” he said. “I knew I wanted a career in construction, but I didn’t know how to achieve that goal. The staff and everybody here at the Workforce Center, along with the collaboration of Lancaster High School – it’s just been so easy to get into the field and continue to excel.”

Fairfield County Commissioner Dave Levacy has been a constant supporter and champion for the Workforce Center. The Workforce Center is possible because the Fairfield County Commissioners recognized the need and potential for these programs several years ago and have continued to support its growth.

“The young people in this county are eager to learn and work. This facility helps connect them to the skills they want to grow – the same skills that employers in our region need now and, in the future,” said Levacy. “Fairfield County is leading in workforce development, and this expansion is just another example of that.”

Matt Damschroder, Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, said the event marked the third ribbon-cutting he had attended at the Workforce Center, something he described as a tribute to the staff and commissioners.

“Each year you have added something more in response to the employers and to the workforce in this community and really, it’s a model for the rest of the state,” he said. Ohio State Representative Kevin Miller added that the investment the state has made into the Workforce Center has been highly successful. “Our return on the investment we make on these types of facilities is second to none because we know it is going directly to impact our young people,” he said. “We are happy to keep advocating.”

Senator Tim Shaffer also remarked on the return on investment the Workforce Center provides.

“Have you ever seen a return on investment like this?” he said. “I know the commissioners agree with me when I point out that these students are not just (earning) a certificate when they graduate. They are earning a future.”