New scholarships, funding from Bitdeer Technologies Group will help Stark State College meet local workforce needs

NORTH CANTON, Ohio, November 10, 2026 — More Stark State College students will be able to train for in-demand technician jobs thanks to $125,000 in philanthropic support from Bitdeer Technologies Group, a world-leading technology company for artificial intelligence (AI) compute and Bitcoin mining infrastructure, which operates a facility in Massillon. The gift includes the establishment of the Bitdeer Technologies Group Scholarship Endowment as well as the Bitdeer Technologies Group Project Fund.

Bitdeer’s Endowment will award, in perpetuity, annual scholarships to qualifying students in advanced manufacturing and information technology programs. These include studies in electrical maintenance technology, automation and robotics technology, and AI and machine learning. The project fund will be used to enhance the student experience in engineering, industrial and information technology curriculums.

In recognition, Stark State named a classroom in its W.R. Timken Center for Technology the Bitdeer Connectivity & Compute Lab, giving students a dedicated space for hands-on training in emerging technologies that power modern industry. Bitdeer’s Massillon facility employs more than 55 people from the local area, including advanced manufacturing technicians.

“The jobs reshaping Ohio’s economy demand technicians with new skills, and support from Bitdeer is helping Stark State prepare that future workforce,” said Para M. Jones, president of Stark State. “For many of our students, finishing a program can come down to a few hundred dollars. Bitdeer’s investment will help close that gap, enabling more students to complete their education and prepare for in-demand careers that will strengthen Stark County for years to come.”

“Bitdeer is proud to be in Stark County, and we want to be the kind of neighbor who supports our community on its own terms,” said Jon Wonsettler, Bitdeer’s Massillon site manager. “Stark State understands what local students and employers need, so we’re excited about encouraging talent and nurturing career pathways that will be relevant in powering Ohio’s next generation of economic development.”

Bitdeer’s support builds on other recent funding the College has received to train more technicians and prepare them for today’s advanced manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing is Ohio’s largest economic sector, and new and large-scale investments in advanced manufacturing are fueling demand for more skilled workers. However, the state faces a critical technician shortage, a persistent skills gap and an aging workforce. At the same time, technology is evolving rapidly. AI-driven automation is transforming advanced manufacturing, creating a need for technicians with new and increasingly sophisticated skills.