A ribbon-cutting took place Oct. 15 at Marion L. Steele High, 500 Washington St. in Amherst, to celebrate the opening of the school’s manufacturing lab.
In honor of National Manufacturing Month in October, the ceremony was attended by local partners, supporters, educators and more to celebrate the state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment available to Amherst students enrolled in related classes.
“John (Agostinelli) and I have waited for this day for a long time,” said Tony Gallo, president and CEO of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce. “The lab is more than a room, it’s a promise — a promise that will prepare our students not just for jobs, but for careers.”
According to Agostinelli, robotics and automation instructor at Steele High, students enrolled in manufacturing courses can learn career readiness skills to help advance them in life after high school.
Students have the opportunity to earn industry credentials with FANUC America’s CERT HandlingTool Operations and Programming, Rockwell credentials in PLC operations and SMC International credentials in pneumatic, mechanics and Industry 4.0 training.
Agostinelli said 88 students are enrolled in manufacturing courses in the 2025-26 school year, which is the first lab that is fully operational, compared to only 14 students in January 2023.
“Students are on track this year alone to accomplish 102 industry credentials,” he said. “It’s just amazing — we’re super excited to dedicate this space today.”
Lorain County Commissioner Marty Gallagher expressed his support for the Advanced Manufacturing Lab and the great benefits it can bring to students, like job training, speaking from experience in the manufacturing industry.
Gallagher said the lab is a “great feeder system” into the industry, and recognized Steele High as being one of the only schools in the state to have a lab to that scale.
“Through this program, our students are learning industry recognized credentials that prepare them for high-demand, high-paying careers,” he said. “It’s impressive.
“I can’t stress how impressive this is to see that this is being taught at this level.”
Gallo recognized key supporters of the event and lab including ONE Lorain County, Lorain County Community College, Lorain County Joint Vocational School, Lorain County commissioners, Lorain County Community Development Department, Manufacturing Works, Ohio Means Jobs – Lorain County, Team NEO, the Business Advisory Council at the Educational Service Center of Lorain County and the Small Business Development Center at LCCC.
Andy Henthorn, scheduler for U.S Rep. Bob Latta, spoke during the event in support of the manufacturing lab and its effect on the future of manufacturing in Northeast Ohio.
Latta, who is co-chairman of the Congressional Robotics Caucus Advisory Committee, recognizes the importance of the work being done to prepare students for careers in manufacturing, Henthorn said.
“We must support manufacturers across key industries that drive America’s leadership in technology and energy,” Henthorn read on Latta’s behalf.