Mayor: Merge Community, Development Departments
Tuesday, September 02, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Combining community development and economic development into one department is “the right thing at the right time” for the city, Mayor John McNally says, a goal he wants to meet by early 2015.
City voters will consider a charter amendment to form such a department now that City Council has approved placing the measure on the November ballot. Merging the two departments and eventually combining them in a single space will improve communication, he said. Community development is in the City Hall Annex while economic development is in 20 Federal Place.
Shenango Valley Economy Shows Signs of Vibrancy
Tuesday, September 02, 2014SHARON, Pa. -- Business expansions across the Shenango Valley point to an economy in growth mode, fueled by renewed energy in the retail, commercial and industrial sectors, officials say.
“Generally, the atmosphere here is very positive,” says Robert McCracken, president of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Companies are quietly beginning to do things.”
McCracken observes that while some effects from the Great Recession linger, businesses in the Shenango Valley are expressing more confidence in the local economy than they did two or three years ago.
Butler to Screen Whistler Documentary Sunday
Tuesday, September 02, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Butler Institute of American Art and Western Reserve PBS will present a preview of the documentary, “James McNeill Whistler and the Case for Beauty,” at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Beecher Center Auditorium of The Butler, Lou Zona announces.
Zona, executive director of The Butler, will offer a tour of Whistler’s works in his museum before the documentary is shown.
OfficeMax Co-founder Is Williamson Speaker Sept. 18
Tuesday, September 02, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Michael Feuer, co-founder and former CEO of OfficeMax, will speak at Youngstown State University Sept. 18 as part of the Williamson Symposium Series. Feuer is CEO and managing director of Max-Ventures, a private equity and consulting firm.
Feuer will speak at 2 and 6 p.m. in the auditorium of Williamson Hall as part of the “executive on campus” program at the Williamson College of Business Administration. The sessions are free and open to the public.
'3 Minutes With' Youngstown Mayor John McNally
Tuesday, September 02, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- In today's “3 Minutes With” video, Mayor John McNally discusses his plan to merge the city's community development and economic development departments. The charter amendment that would authorize combining the departments is on the November ballot (READ STORY).
"3 Minutes With" is a daily video feature produced by The Business Journal.
Westminster Grant to Help Potential STEM Teachers
Tuesday, September 02, 2014NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Westminster College has been awarded a $1.027 million grant through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program of the National Science Foundation, the college announces.
Funds will be spent on strengthening STEM skills and qualifications within the region's high-need high schools. STEM is the acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Hilcorp Gets More Permits, Stops 'Pooling' Application
Saturday, August 30, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Hilcorp Energy Co. received 11 new permits to drill horizontal wells in Lawrence and Mercer counties in Pennsylvania over the last 12 days, as the company shores up its position in the northern tier of the Utica shale.
South Avenue Merchants Look to Revive Corridor
Friday, August 29, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Proponents of revitalizing the South Avenue corridor hope an upcoming cleanup effort will be a stepping stone to reforming the South Avenue Merchants Association and cause more change along the artery.
Representatives of South Avenue businesses along with residents of adjacent neighborhoods and guests gathered Friday afternoon for a business summit. The summit, hosted by the South Avenue Area Neighborhood Development Initiative, or Saandi, was held at Metro Assembly Church.
Fresh Paint Gives City Neighborhoods Bright Look
Friday, August 29, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The buildings along Glenwood Avenue on the South Side used to be almost monotone, mostly beige with an occasional blue or gray structure interrupting here and there. Empty lots and vacant buildings were commonplace.
The corridor is one of the main roads in and out of Youngstown. Upward of 11,000 cars travel Glenwood daily. For those who travel through the Idora Park neighborhood, the road used to be a tour through just how far the city had fallen.