Neighborhoods

The City Council of Struthers held a pivotal meeting on March 6, 2025, focusing on the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), which aims to enhance housing conditions in the area. A key highlight was the discussion surrounding the rehabilitation program, emphasizing the importance of assessing foundational integrity before moving on to other aspects of home repair.

During the meeting, officials outlined the systematic approach taken in the rehab program, starting with the foundation and roof, followed by plumbing, electrical, and heating systems. The program is designed to address homes in need, with strict parameters in place to ensure that funds are used effectively. "We preserve the right to walk away from any project if the foundation is bad," one official stated, underscoring the program's commitment to quality and safety.

Struthers, along with neighboring Campbell and Brothers, has access to significant funding—$400,000 for Struthers and $300,000 each for Campbell and Brothers. This funding is crucial for projects that can range from $25,000 to nearly $100,000, depending on the needs of the homes. The officials expressed their dedication to maximizing available resources, stating, "We're gonna try to get you as much as we can through our program."

Additionally, the meeting highlighted collaboration with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, which will assist with overflow cases, ensuring that more residents can benefit from available funding. The Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership will also play a role in the inspection process, further enhancing the program's reach and effectiveness.

To read the full story from Citizen Portal click here. 

The Business Journal interviewed young officials with four area entities to learn about their goals and inspiration.

They are Ian Beniston, executive director of Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.; Ben Bush, executive director of Forward Lawrence; Nick Chretien, executive director of Economic Action Group; and Matt Martin, executive director of Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership.

Ian Beniston

“For me, it’s about restoring some of the vitality that any healthy place has,” says Beniston. “Youngstown had it, lost it, and we’re working to have that again.”

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

Ellie Maurice is the Housing Program Assistant for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Under the supervision of the Housing Director, Ellie assists with organizational marketing and administration of YNDC’s housing programs

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

The Florence Simon Foundation awarded a $20,500 Grant to YNDC for clean and green equipment. The grant will be used to purchase a van and hydroseeder to significantly increase our neighborhood cleanup and vacant lot greening activities. Many thanks to the Florence Simon Beecher Foundation for their support!

The need to add housing for people who will come to the area to fill jobs at Ultium Cells, Kimberly-Clark and other companies has become increasingly apparent.

The problem is not unique to this region; lack of affordable, quality housing is a national issue. But for an area that is looking to capitalize on its prospects, it’s acute.

Among the local organizations addressing the problem are Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. in Youngstown and Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership in Warren. 

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

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Mahoning Valley TreeCorps (TreeCorps) has completed its spring tree planting and a large-scale dead and dying tree removal. The most recent work of TreeCorps has resulted in the planting of 606 trees. TreeCorps has also completed a dead tree survey and the removal of 1,342 dead and dying hazardous street trees. This is the most significant removal of dead trees in the Mahoning Valley in decades. More updates will be provided in the coming months.  

Changes are coming to the Youngstown Playhouse. A local artist is working to bring two murals back to the building. 

Christian Mrosko was hard at work on Monday. The Liberty native said he completed two murals before: one in 2012 and another in 2013. But over time, they faded, and there was also repair work done on the building.

He finished one mural in November, and will be done with the second one in a couple of weeks.

“I was kind of happy with the designs, people liked them, so it’s, like, a positive thing,” Mrosko said. “Well, they wanted something that related to the playhouse, theater, and so that’s why on the front I put the word ‘live,’ which, you know, could mean live or live, you know, it’s like live theater.”

The work is being done as a collaboration with the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. 

To read the full story from WKBN, click here.