The Logan County Collaborative has awarded its first-ever Career Launch Grants to five outstanding graduating seniors who are preparing to enter the workforce in Logan County.
Thursday afternoon, each recipient received $1,000 to support their transition into careers in construction, skilled trades, manufacturing, or healthcare.
The Career Launch Grant is a new initiative aimed at recognizing and supporting students who choose to begin their careers immediately after high school—right here in their local communities.
The program is designed to help cover startup costs like tools, uniforms, transportation, housing, or other essentials as students move into the working world.
In addition to Vollrath, also on hand for the event were Karen Sorreles and Scott Howell from the Midwest Regional ESC, Logan County Commissioner Greg Fitzpatrick, State Representative Tim Barhorst, and Nick Davis from Senator Bernie Moreno’s Office.
“This grant builds on the success of the 3E Initiative, which encourages students to explore all post-graduation options—employment, enlistment, and enrollment,” said Ben Vollrath of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce. “With many students receiving scholarship dollars to go away to college, this program is a way to reward those who are choosing to stay, work, and build their futures locally.”
The 2025 Career Launch Grant recipients are:
- Preston Leatherman (Ohio Hi-Point/Riverside) – joining PowerBuilt Material Handling Solutions (Manufacturing/Skilled Trades)
Preston Leatherman - Alyssa Mueller (Ohio Hi-Point/West Liberty-Salem) – joining Logan Acres Senior Community (Healthcare)
Alyssa Mueller - Dean Reames (Ohio Hi-Point/Benjamin Logan) – joining PowerBuilt Material Handling Solutions (Manufacturing/Skilled Trades)
Dean Reames - Ian Schmidt (Ohio Hi-Point/Calvary Christian) – joining Wallace Custom Building (Construction)
Ian Schmidt - Damien Smith (Riverside) – joining Buildcraft (Construction)
Damien Smith
The Logan County Collaborative is a business advisory committee supported by the Logan County Chamber of Commerce and the Midwest Regional Educational Service Center.
Its goal is to strengthen the talent pipeline by connecting local educators, employers, and community leaders in workforce development efforts.
The Career Launch Grant program was made possible through the generous support of several local businesses and organizations, including Daido Metal USA, Hurley Farms, Lee’s Comfort Shoes, LeVan’s Excavating, the Lewis & Dorothy Tamplin Trust, Logan County Community Improvement Corporation, Middlefield Bank, RTC Industries, Shoffstall Funeral Home, Steve Austin’s Auto Group, Taylor Farms, and Wren’s Florist.
For more information about the Career Launch Grant or the Logan County Collaborative, contact Ben Vollrath at the Logan County Chamber of Commerce ([email protected]) or Karen Sorreles at the Midwest Regional ESC ([email protected]).
