Youngstown Named a Top Military-Friendly City
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The city of Youngstown has been named a 2013 Top 50Military-Friendly City by Victory Media. The city ranked 46th on the list of 381 metropolitan areas nationwide.
Victory is publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine, which said that Youngstown is home to a large pool of jobs at Military-Friendly Employers, Military-Friendly School campuses and veteran-owned businesses within the region. Taking into account the cost of living and unemployment rate makes Youngstown ideal for veterans and their families to start a successful civilian life, the magazine said.
“Only one in eight metropolitan areas made this list,” said Sean Collins, brand director for G.I. Jobs, which conducts the study and publishes the list. “As a result of their pro-military and veteran policies and practices, these cities will certainly have an advantage in attracting this young, vibrant talent as they choose where to raise their families after leaving the military."
Sarah Boyarko, vice president for economic development Retention and expansion at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, said, “Military veterans are an untapped resource for our community. With a significant number of veterans leaving the military and entering the civilian workforce, it is the perfect opportunity to market Youngstown as a good place to call home.
“We have available and affordable housing, excellent and effective schools and employment opportunities. With the influx of the oil and gas industry, among other investments, we need people to move to the Valley to fill these jobs."
The chamber is reaching out to selected bases nationwide to make sure veterans are aware of the economic activity the Valley is experiencing and the types of employment opportunities available, she added.
The Military-Friendly Cities list is compiled from survey data included in the Military Friendly Employers and Military Friendly Schools list, which are released annually and audited by Ernst & Young LLC.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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