WARREN — Construction of an aviation education center will get underway in Vienna after a $1 million state grant was accepted Wednesday.

The $5.5 million YNG Aviation Education Center will encompass 18,000 square feet on Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport property. The move will spur the creation of the YNG Flight School and expansion of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics regional campus, officials said.

In a related manner, Youngstown State University is expected to unveil an associate degree in aviation.

The announcements took place during the Western Reserve Port Authority’s monthly board meeting at Covelli Enterprises.

Bolstered by a JobsOhio Site Inventory Program grant, the port authority secured funding to move from planning to construction.

Anthony Trevena, the authority’s executive director, said the organization worked with Lake to River, the local JobsOhio network partner, to obtain the funding. The move expedited the project and is expected to impact the aviation industry’s workforce pipeline.

“This JobsOhio grant is the final puzzle piece that allows us to transform the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport into a hub for aviation talent …, ” Trevena said.

Trumbull County commissioners provided $350,000 to the project, which also received funding from federal and state sources.

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and PIA assisted.

“This project demonstrates how collaboration among public and private partners can deliver transformative results …,” said Alexa Sweeney Blackann, Lake to River’s interim CEO.

The center will be able to accommodate training for new technology, such as advanced air mobility and pilot training for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said the center will strengthen the state’s position as a leader in aviation innovation.

“The Western Reserve Port Authority’s leadership to make the YNG Aviation Education Center a reality will build an even stronger aviation workforce in the region,” he said.

Although originally aligned with the defunct Eastern Gateway Community College, the YNG Flight School will be a subcontractor to YSU, Trevena said. He said he is waiting to receive more information from state and university officials.

An email to YSU’s media contact asking for details was not returned as of press