$320,000 grant to aid Toledo-area internships

5/25/2011

A $320,000 grant awarded Tuesday from the Ohio Third Frontier Internship Program will assist with placement of more than 100 interns at Toledo-area firms this summer.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce will administer the grant to northwest Ohio firms in various high-tech industries, including advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and information technology. The funding, which is awaiting approval from the state controlling board, will reimburse the companies for up to 50 percent, or $3,000, of an intern’s wages.

The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Rhodes State College in Lima, and the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce are collaborating with the Toledo chamber on the internship program, Chamber spokesman Christine Bailey said.

Katie Sabatino, a spokesman for the state Department of Development, said the program aims to highlight jobs in the state for young professionals. “It’s a good tool for us to retain top talent and show them the opportunities we have here in Ohio,” she said.