Neighborhoods

The Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference is set to celebrate its tenth year on May 10 in Ohio University’s Baker Center Ballroom.

The annual event brings together public officials, economic development experts, and business and organizational leaders to foster collaboration and share innovation in Appalachian Ohio.

OHIO’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service Economic Development Administration University Center plans and sponsors the annual event in coordination with many regional partners. This year’s theme, Models for Revitalization, will explore topics important to the progress and growth of the region, while highlighting collaboration models, creating vibrant communities, broadband, affordable housing, and tourism in rural Ohio.

“This is a special year for this conference as we celebrate a decade of good work together as an Appalachian Ohio community,” said Jason Jolley, Associate Dean for Public Strategy and Innovation at the Voinovich School. “We’re especially energized to be back together for an in-person event this year and believe our theme built around revitalization will serve as a reminder that our collective energy and innovation is vital and important to the future of a thriving and vibrant Ohio.”

To see the full story from Ohio University, click here.

Good soil and strong roots are needed for most any plant to grow and remain healthy.

Applying that concept to help people have healthier skin and hair is the goal of Deep Roots Self Care, a new business started by Carmella Williams. “Even though we have access to great products people are saying, ‘My hair is still dry,’ “ says Williams. “It’s not that we don’t have access, it’s really about what we’re missing in our diet.” 

To see the full story from The Business Journal, click here.

Phil Kidd returns to Youngstown to offer the keynote address at this year's annual meeting of the Youngstown Press Club.

Kidd, special projects manager for Northwest Neighborhoods Community Development Corp., is the former director of events and special projects for the city of Youngstown.

To see the full story from The Business Journal, click here.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

588 Cubic Yards of Debris Removed

40 New Clients Enrolled in Housing Counseling

29 Emergency Repairs

28 Vacant Houses Boarded

6 Vacant Units Rehabilitated

REVITALIZE

The city of Youngstown has a plan in place that could ultimately bring down all of the worst vacant homes in the city.

The city hopes being a part of the demolition business will be a thing of the past if they can tear down up to 750 of the worst homes in two years or less. 

The city already has $8-million dollars in ARP funds in their back pocket for this project, but they're waiting to get their hands on a statewide $12-million residential brownfield grant that they've applied for.

The city said this grant would get the job done quicker and ARP funds could go elsewhere.

"If we get the brownfield grant, part of the demolition process gets taken over by the Land Bank," Mike Durkin, Youngstown Code Enforcement and Blite Remediation Superintendent said, "That's the difference."

Because the Mahoning County Land Bank would take care of the physical demolition, the city would be able to focus resources on identifying and prepping vacant homes for demolition. 

"We can see the finish line," Deb Flora Executive Director of Mahoning County Land Bank said, "and that is a really strong statement to make, considering that not that long ago, we had more than 4,000 vacant, abandoned badly beat up structures in the city of Youngstown.

To see the full story from WFMJ, click here.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

On Wednesday, May 11 at the Jaylex Event Center the City of Youngstown, Boardman Township, Mill Creek MetroParks and YNDC held a public open house for the Glenwood Active Transportation Plan.

The planning consultants (GPD Group) presented a preliminary DRAFT plan for residents to review and provide detailed feedback. The public open house was attended by more than 75 residents and stakeholders. The feedback from the open house will be used to further revise and update the plans for the corridor. Stayed tuned for more information!

Glenwood Avenue is one of Youngstown’s main roads, running north to south through the South Side from Mahoning Avenue to Midlothian Boulevard.

Now, the city is putting together a plan to renovate Glenwood. The actual work is still a long way away but Wednesday evening, the community was presented with the start of a plan.

Drawings of what is and what could be lined the walls of Youngstown’s Jaylex Event Center on Wednesday as the 50 people at the meeting gazed at the first draft of the future of Glenwood Avenue.

“This is an initial feasibility study to look at options for the Glenwood Avenue corridor,” said Chris Tolnar with GPD Group of Youngstown.

Tolnar helped guide people through the many drawings. It was Tolnar’s architectural firm that devised the plan.

The photos that received a lot of attention were of the Glenwood-Canfield Road intersection. One possibility, make it a “T” intersection with nearby Idora Avenue or possibly replace the current traffic light with a roundabout, freely sending people in all directions.

To see the full story from WKBN, click here.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

On Thursday, May 12, the KeyBank Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to YNDC for emergency repair.

The funds will be used for the emergency home repair program to assist low income homeowners with emergencies such as furnace and plumbing repairs at no cost. Many thanks to the KeyBank Foundation for the support!

Monday, May 17, 2022

On May 16, 2022, the Premier Bank Foundation awarded a $35,000 grant to YNDC for emergency repair.

The funds will be used for the emergency home repair program to assist low income homeowners with emergencies such as furnace and plumbing repairs at no cost. Huge thank you to the Premier Bank Foundation for the continued support!

A fresh market that opened on Glenwood Avenue one month ago is making a positive impact on the community.

The Glenwood Fresh Market has been staying busy with customers coming in and out every Tuesday and Thursday eager to buy some fresh produce. A few customers say it has had a positive impact on their overall health and wellbeing.

“We try to eat healthy so this helps with that too with all the vegetables and everything,” said customer Brenda Matson.

Matson is a frequent customer who goes to the Glenwood Fresh Market with her husband at least once a week.

“We’re on fixed income as I’m sure most people are that come here. It’s really hard to go to the store and pay $3 for a head of lettuce when you know you can come down here and get it for free,” she said.

To see the full story from WKBN, click here.