Ken Cleveland Foundation pledges $3 million to construction trades building at Medina County Career Center

MEDINA — The Ken Cleveland Foundation pledged $3 million to the Medina County Career Center on Tuesday, which will substantially support the construction of a second construction trades building on campus. During the Medina County Career Center Board of Education's meeting on Tuesday, the board unanimously approved the acceptance of the Ken Cleveland Foundation's charitable gift agreement. Robert Bux of the Ken Cleveland Foundation spoke at the meeting, talking about the importance of trades to the foundation and its desire to support the trades and build back the trades within the community. Ken Cleveland, a Medina County philanthropist who died in 2019, was a housing developer, founder of the Ken Cleveland Builders Co., and founder of the Ken Cleveland Foundation. Bux also talked about the collaboration between the foundation and the career center, noting the recent achievements made toward construction trades. In August 2024, the career center cut the ribbon on the Construction Trades program's new building, which allowed the program to grow in size. The project was partially funded by the Ken Cleveland Foundation, which gave the Medina County Career Center $2.5 million for the building. Just a few months ago, career center Superintendent Steve Chrisman returned to the Ken Cleveland Foundation board and later suggested the idea for a second construction trades building, placed next to the 2024 construction trades building. Chrisman said the second building would be dedicated to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning program, as well as the construction electricity program. According to the agreement, the career center will recognize the contribution by prominently displaying "Ken Cleveland" on the outside of the building. Additionally, a sign will be placed near the entrance of both construction trades buildings, naming the area the "Ken Cleveland Academy." By having the construction trades programs all in one place, Chrisman said it would allow the students to collaborate. "They don't collaborate as much as they possibly could," he said. The agreement states the $3 million gift will be made in installments. The first payment of $500,000 will be made within 10 days of the signed agreement. Additional $500,000 installments will be made on or before each of the first five anniversaries of the initial installment. "There are some stipulations," Bux said. "You have to build a building. You have to fill it with students. You already demonstrated to us that you know exactly how to do that. The students are there; they just need the space." The board later authorized the career center to go out to bid and pay architectural fees of $330,000 for the construction of a second construction trades building and campus electrical service upgrades. The board agenda states the construction estimate is $6.3 million and has an expected completion of July 2026. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.