10/05/2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio — October 5, 2026 — Hamilton Local School District today announced a series of major educational and community support initiatives made possible through key funding from Google. These programs expand career technical pathways, foster early elementary STEM engagement, and provide support for district families during the Holiday season.
Expanding Skilled Trades Pathways with Google
Through a $15,000 grant from Google, Hamilton Schools is upgrading its pre-apprenticeships by upgrading existing and purchasing industry-grade, in-house welding equipment. This funding enables 125 enrolled high school students to gain hands-on proficiency directly on campus, eliminating significant transportation barriers that previously prevented students from traveling off-site to partner facilities.
The enhanced curriculum prepares students for high-demand, living-wage careers while helping them earn their OSHA-10 certification. By building skilled trade competencies internally, the district directly aligns with growing regional opportunities in digital infrastructure, including local data center construction and operations.
Early Innovation: The Ready Rangers Afterschool STEM Program
Through a $60,000 grant from Google, Hamilton Schools is able to build an early foundation in science and technology, Hamilton Local Elementary School is continuing its Ready Rangers Afterschool STEM Program, powered by the PAST Foundation.
Offered free of charge to students in grades K–3, Ready Rangers serves an estimated 150 to 200 students annually across six three-week sessions running from October through April. Meeting three days a week, young learners engage in interactive science demonstrations and digital tools. Working alongside peers, high school interns, and STEM instructors, students develop essential skills in collaboration, communication, and social-emotional growth, sparking an early curiosity in technology-based careers.
Supporting District Families
A $30,000 sponsorship from Google funded Thanksgiving Meal Kits for hundreds of students of district families in the fall of 2025, supplementing the district’s long-standing Holiday Help initiative. This collaboration expanded
support for local households and helped ensure families had access to nutritious meals during the holiday season.
“We are incredibly grateful to Google for investing in our students, families, and community in ways that will have both an immediate and lasting impact, This partnership reaches students at every stage—from sparking curiosity and a love of STEM among our youngest learners, to providing high school students with hands-on training and credentials that can lead directly to high-demand careers. Just as importantly, Google’s support of Thanksgiving meals demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of our families beyond the classroom. These investments help us remove barriers, expand opportunities, and ensure our students have meaningful pathways to success after graduation. We appreciate Google’s commitment to Hamilton Local Schools and to the future of our community.” - Emily Jablonka, Ed.D, CAO
"Skilled trades and technical skills are the bedrock of our digital economy—and vital to constructing and operating facilities like our nearby Columbus data center," said Alex Hilgeman, Ohio Community Development Manager at Google. "By funding in-house welding equipment and supporting early STEM learning through Ready Rangers, we’re helping Hamilton Local students gain the practical skills and certifications needed for high-demand, living-wage careers right in their home community. We're honored to collaborate with Hamilton Local Schools to champion our neighbors, support local youth, and provide assistance during times of uncertainty."