Grant will provide high-tech internships in Northwest Ohio

Press Release:

Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Recommended for $428,571 Grant to Help College Students Obtain High-Tech Internships

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce was recently recommended to receive a grant of $428,571 by the Ohio Third Frontier Commission to operate the Third Frontier Internship Program in Northwest Ohio. This program provides reimbursements of up to $3,000 per intern to businesses that employ college students pursuing degrees in high-tech fields.

The grant will be used to place and compensate approximately 135 interns in high-tech positions across Northwest Ohio through a partnership with the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, other chambers of commerce and higher education institutions.

The Ohio Third Frontier is committed to creating new technology-based products, companies, industries and jobs in Ohio. The Ohio Third Frontier Internship program furthers this commitment by developing a pool of talented workers for Ohio companies. This is done by exposing students to the strategies and processes of business environments and by creating potential employment opportunities following graduation.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce was previously involved with the Third Frontier Internship Program from 2004 to 2007 as a liaison between businesses in Northwest Ohio and a Dayton-based program administrator. In July 2011, the Chamber was awarded the program and took on the administrative role in this region. Since last summer, a total of 94 interns have been placed and more than $260,000 has been reimbursed to 20 companies in Northwest Ohio.

Businesses and interns interested in registering for this program should visit http://thirdfrontierintern.ohio.gov/3fip/index.php.

For information regarding the program, contact Charlene Page, SBDC Program Manager at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, at charlene.page@toledochamber.com or at 419.243.8191.

Charlene Page will promote the program on July 30 at the Mapping Success, Driving Partnerships, Northwest Ohio Regional Rally at Ohio Northern University.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, serving a membership of over 2,600 businesses, is the collective voice for the Northwest Ohio business community. www.toledochamber.com

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