Neighborhoods

East Liverpool, Ohio has recently been featured in Business View Magazine for their recent growth and development, according to a press release. The feature is based on an interview between Mayor, Greg Bicker; and Business View Magazine’s Editor in Chief, Karen Surca; as part of our series covering economic growth and best city practices. East Liverpool is one of the oldest communities in the Ohio Valley, founded in 1798.

In the late 1800’s the city experienced significant growth as it became the hub of pottery manufacturing, bringing success and prosperity. Today, only the American Mug and Stein Company remains, but the city is still has growth and sustainability on its radar, bringing new vibrancy to attract and retain a younger demographic. One evidence of this growth and sustainability is the installation of solar panels on all of the city’s property’s. Mayor Bicker says this has created an opportunity to save money and provide power.

Bicker also prioritizes updating housing and attracting new development, he says that he recognizes that housing is a mess, and is still in need of repair, but is finding way to fix it. Bicker has partnered with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, to do a housing quality survey in East Liverpool. He says that the YNDC has done remarkable work in Youngstown, tearing down 2,500 homes and rehabbing over 1,000.

To read the full story from WTRF, click here. 

Founded in 1798, East Liverpool is one of the oldest communities in the Ohio Valley. In the late 1800s, the city experienced significant growth as it became a hub of pottery manufacturing, bringing success and prosperity. Although evidence of this vibrant part of East Liverpool’s history is on display at the Museum of Ceramics, and in the historic architecture throughout the community, only the American Mug and Stein Company remains. Today East Liverpool is a city with growth and sustainability on its radar, bringing a new vibrancy and working to attract and retain a younger demographic.

The installation of solar panels on all city property is evidence of this new direction, and Mayor Greg Bicker says this has created an opportunity to save money, while also providing power. He maintains, “We’ve just been looking at it as a way to cut our costs. Scout Solar came in and did a nice presentation for us, and said, this is no cost to the city. The end result is that we’ll be able to reduce our electric bills, which is perfect timing because electricity has gone up 30% here in our area. That way we can put that money into our infrastructure and improve the city with the savings that we incur.” Scout Solar has also purchased a decommissioned catholic school building to be used as dormitories for workers, as well as storage and office space.

Updated housing, and attracting new development is also a priority for Bicker, who acknowledges, “My number one initiative, and a big reason I ran for mayor to begin with, is our housing was a mess. It’s still in need of some repair, but we are recognizing that and finding ways to fix it.”

Partnering with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation has been a step in the right direction. 

To read the full story from Business View Magazine, click here. 

In this week’s In-Depth segment, WKBN Community Affairs Director Dee Crawford sits down with Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown about a roof replacement program in the city. The program for Youngstown residents was passed by city council on June 7. “We took some of our American Rescue Plan dollars and put this together to decide, how do we make a greater impact for individuals to stay in their home and to sustain our neighborhoods?” Brown said.

To be eligible, a person must own their own house and be up to date on their taxes. They will also be required to share their income. A current need for a new roof is also required. “Individuals who have issues right now in their roof that may be leaking, just had it patched or they can’t afford it, but they want to stay in their home. That was probably the driving force for us. We want to keep our individuals, maybe the seniors, those with disabilities, you know, individuals who’ve worked all their life, they want to stay in that neighborhood. They love where they live but putting $12,000, $15,000 down for a roof is pretty expensive,” Brown said.

The city is partnering with local agencies like MYCAP and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation for the project.

To read the full story from WKBN, click here. 

PNC Bank has partnered with the United Way to sponsor financial empowerment education sessions. Grimilda Ocasio-Santiago, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley’s director of community impact, said many people don’t know about the free programs. Giving individuals access to knowledge about the programs is important to her, she added. “United way and PNC are here to serve our community members and assist with financial education to provide useful skills. The goal of this program is to advance equity through financial literacy, by providing education and services directly to the Valley,” Ocasio-Santiago said.

Nine events have been hosted and more than 250 families have been assisted since the start of financial empowerment in the Valley. One session was late last week at the Eugenia Atkinson Center on Otis Street. Ocasio-Santiago explained that the organization is working to connect community members to agencies and teach them about financial literacy. Seventeen agencies were on hand to help educate, they included Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Program (MYCAP), Catholic Charities, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County Public, Apprisen (debt management and credit counseling), Mahoning County Training Association, Home for Good, Easterseals, Goodwill, Molina Health, Community Legal Aid, YMCA, YWCA, Youngstown State University and ACTION Mobile Market.

To read the full story from The Vindicator, click here. 

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society has announced its 2023 Historic Preservation Awards. They’ll be presented Tuesday evening during a ceremony at Youngstown’s Tyler History Center.

The Commercial Revitalization Award goes to Penguin City Brewing Company.

The Community Revitalization Awards go to the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation for the renovation of an apartment building on Glenwood Avenue and the Stambaugh Auditorium Association for the preservation of its monumental steps. 

To read the full story from WKBN, click here. 

Tuesday June 27, 2023. 

On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Frances Schermer Charitable Trust awarded a $5,000 grant for emergency repair to YNDC. The funds will be used for the emergency home repair program to assist residents of owner-occupied, single family homes with emergency repairs such as furnace and plumbing repairs at NO COST. Thank you to the Frances Schermer Charitable Trust!

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society honored local business owners and entrepreneurs for their efforts in rebuilding and revitalizing the Valley. Penguin City Brewing Company won the 2023 Commercial Revitalization Award. Owners revamped an out-of-works Youngstown warehouse into a bustling brewery, now a central location for community and city events such as LGBTQ+ pride and Federal Frenzy. Businesses like DOPE Cider House and Winery and Papa Gelateria have opened shops inside the Penguin City warehouse, expanding the business further. Four local groups won another award for revitalization in the community.

2023 COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AWARDS 

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation: Renovated apartment building at 3711 Glenwood Avenue

To read the full story from Mahoning Matters, click here. 

Wednesday June 28, 2023. 

On Tuesday, June 27, YNDC was awarded a Community Revitalization Award from the Mahoning Valley Historical Society as part of their annual Historic Preservation Awards. The award was presented to YNDC for the renovation of 3711 Glenwood Avenue, a historic four unit apartment building constructed in 1926. Many thanks to the Historical Society for the recognition. REVITALIZE. 

Are you looking for a job in Youngstown? The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation has a few open jobs, and they’re looking for applicants interested in transforming and revitalizing local neighborhoods.

To read the full story from Mahoning Matters, click here. 

Thursday, June 29, 2023. 

On May 5, 2023, the Finance Fund awarded a $75,000 grant to assist with the renovation of the Foster Theater. YNDC is finalizing plans to renovate the building as housing and commercial space. Many thanks to the Finance Fund for their support!