Lt. Governor Tressel Celebrates Advanced Manufacturing Expansion at Polaris Career Center

(MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio)—Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel today joined local leaders, educators, and students at Polaris Career Center in Middleburg Heights to celebrate the grand opening of an $11 million advanced manufacturing expansion. The project, supported by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) Career Technical Construction Program , adds space to house Polaris’ new Engineering Technology, Robotics & Automation program. “Polaris is preparing its students for the careers that drive Ohio’s economy, and there’s no better way to prepare them than to teach them on the same equipment being used by Ohio businesses today,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “We want our students to build successful futures right here in Ohio, and programs like this are making that possible.” The expansion includes 26,608 square feet of advanced manufacturing classroom space. Once fully operational, the Engineering Technology, Robotics & Automation program will prepare up to 144 students per year for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and STEM fields. The program will welcome its first class in the Fall of 2026 and immerse students with hands-on instruction using the latest automation systems, robotics, and 3D technologies. “This new state-of-the-art addition is a gamechanger for students pursuing careers in STEM and advanced manufacturing,” said Diane Xander, Superintendent of Polaris Career Center. “For our employer partners, it creates an even stronger talent pipeline while opening the door to incredible career opportunities right here in Northeast Ohio. This is a major win for our students, our business community and the future of our local economy.” The expansion at Polaris Career Center is another example of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Tressel’s commitment to give more Ohio students the opportunity to prepare for the highest demand fields in the state. With the combined support of the Administration and the Ohio General Assembly, the state invested $300 million between the Career Technical Education Construction Grant and the Career Technical Education Equipment Grant programs to build new career tech facilities, expand existing ones, and allow schools to purchase new state-of-the-art equipment. These two programs alone have opened up 10,000 new seats for career tech students in Ohio. Additionally, just last week, Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Tressel announced a new program offering $3.2 million in grant funding to help more schools create, expand, or improve career tech manufacturing programs. Lt. Governor Tressel on a tour of the new facility.