The Oh-Penn Interstate Region Competitive Council, made up of representatives from each local Workforce Investment Board, met on Aug. 27.

The focus of the Interstate Region has been on implementing the two key initiatives related to the Walmart Foundation grant: expanding the Business Resource Network into Pennsylvania and expanding use of WorkKeys® skills assessment program and the WIN basic workplace skills training program throughout the region.

Additionally, the Competitiveness Council contracted with Thomas P. Miller & Associates to assist in creating an operational business plan with related metrics and to assess opportunities for new funding. The Interstate Region is comprised of Mercer and Lawrence Counties in Pennsylvania and Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana Counties in Ohio.