The Logan County Collaborative is recognizing five local graduates who are heading straight into the workforce with the help of its second annual Career Launch Grants.
Each student received a $1,000 grant to help cover the costs of starting a new career, including tools, uniforms, transportation, housing, and other work-related expenses.
The program supports Logan County seniors entering careers in construction, skilled trades, manufacturing, or healthcare with local employers.
Ben Vollrath with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce said continuing the program for a second year is a major win for the community.
Vollrath said recognizing graduates who choose to stay in Logan County and enter the workforce helps reinforce the idea that all “3 E’s” — employment, enlistment, and enrollment — deserve equal celebration.
The 2026 Career Launch Grant recipients are:
- Utah Coleman, Ohio Hi-Point/Benjamin Logan — joining Neer’s Sand and Gravel
- Gage Ervin, Ohio Hi-Point/Riverside — joining PowerBuilt Material Handling Solutions
- Maddy Hamm, Ohio Hi-Point/Benjamin Logan — joining Community Health & Wellness Partners
- Kaeleb Ostrander, Benjamin Logan — joining Jeremiah Seamless LLC
- Naaman Stidham, Ohio Hi-Point/West Liberty-Salem — joining Stidham’s Painting & Roofing
The Career Launch Grant program is organized through the Logan County Collaborative, a business advisory committee made up of local educators, community leaders, and industry representatives.
The group is coordinated by the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center.
This year’s grants were funded through donations from Solomon’s Garage, the Lewis & Dorothy Tamplin Trust, the Logan County Community Improvement Corporation, and the Haushalter Family Foundation.
