Neighborhoods

A grassroots organization is welcoming any and all community support in preparation for new businesses and heightened traffic in the Cornersburg neighborhood in Youngstown.

Michelle Naymick is the organizer of the Cornersburg Beautification Initiative. 

“Cornersburg is the one place where Austintown, Boardman, Canfield and Youngstown all meet, which makes it everyone’s corner and no one’s responsibility,” she said. “After noticing for a long time that the area wasn’t looking its best, I decided this summer that instead of waiting for someone else to solve the problem, I’d dive in.” 

In mid-August, Naymick started a Facebook group and began connecting with businesses and property owners along the corridor. 

The first cleanup for Cornersburg Beautification Initiative was on Aug. 29-30 along the plazas at Canfield and Meridian Roads. 

“We started simple: brooms, leaf blowers and hands. The response told us people were ready,” she said. “Since then we’ve held two cleanup days, secured donated power washing at two plazas with another coming soon, opened talks with two greenhouses on seasonal commercial planters and grown a strong Facebook community.” 

The next cleanup is scheduled for Oct. 18 with an additional November date likely to be announced, according to Naymick. 

“The timing matters: Sheetz is expected to open in Cornersburg in spring 2027, bringing new traffic and new eyes to the corridor. We want the neighborhood ready to make a good first impression,” Naymick said. 

The Cornersburg Beautification Initiative partners with councilman Pat Kelly and Sara Daugherty at the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

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

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

On Wednesday, September 30, YNDC and Summit Academy partnered to plant six trees at the school.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program Assistant Jacob Stanko and Certified Arborist and Training Manager Lola Lewis demonstrated the various steps of tree planting to two groups of students. While students took on planting, Jacob and Lola discussed care tips, different species, and benefits of street trees.

In total, YNDC planted 16 trees at Summit Academy, with students planting six of them.

Summit Academy science teacher, Jennifer McCoy, said the experience can be used later to support the students’ curriculum. “It’s such an important opportunity because now they actually have a real life experience of being involved and knowing what it takes to grow a tree but also what it takes to keep the trees thriving,” she said. “We're actually getting ready to teach ecology in my biology class, so this will definitely be one of those things that I can utilize in class and refer back to.”

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

YNDC is pleased to announce that public infrastructure improvement work supported by a state grant is underway throughout the City of Youngstown.

In March, the City of Youngstown was awarded a $2.5 million Residential Economic Development District (REDD) Grant from the State of Ohio. Funding will improve public infrastructure including roads, sidewalks, and lighting, while also connecting new homes to existing water and sewer systems. The locations of the improvements were selected to support new housing development in the City’s neighborhoods.

This grant will support the development of up to 220 workforce housing units through an infill housing initiative, the replacement of over 80,000 square feet of sidewalk, and the resurfacing of over 23,000 square feet of roads.

The project is a collaboration between the City of Youngstown, Mahoning County Land Bank, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, and other community partners. This project supports housing demand created by investments from significant regional economic development projects.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

On Monday, September 14, 2026, The City of Struthers and YNDC completed the construction of eight new homes in Struthers.

The new homes are located at: 
~16 E. Haywood Avenue
~43 Narcissa Street
~78 Prospect Street
~90 Center Street
~165 Sexton Street
~363 Sexton Street
~371 Sexton Street
~434 8th Street

Each home features three bedrooms, at least two bathrooms, an open-concept living, kitchen and dining area, first-floor laundry room, front porch, and two-car garage. Purchase of these homes is limited to income-eligible buyers who commit to owning and occupying the home. Down payment assistance is available for eligible first-time homebuyers through a partnership with Huntington National Bank.

The project is made possible through a grant award to the City of Struthers from the Ohio Department of Development's Welcome Home Ohio program. The vacant lots were acquired from the City of Struthers Land Bank. Mahoning County Land Bank also provided land for the project. The builder for the project is Joe Koch Construction. The project partners include the City of Struthers, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, and the Eden Haven Housing Development Group.

Additionally, YNDC and the Mahoning County Land Bank constructed and sold a new home in the City of Struthers last year.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact a Realtor. 

Monday, October 5, 2026

The Mahoning County Land Bank (MCLB) and Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation have completed the construction of the final three homes that were supported by the Welcome Home Ohio program.

Over the last few years, the Mahoning County Land Bank, in partnership with YNDC, has been awarded multiple rounds of Welcome Home Ohio program funding from the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) to create new affordable housing opportunities. In total, the partnership has resulted in 31 new housing units throughout the City of Youngstown and Mahoning County!

The final three homes constructed are 3509 Sheridan Road, 3515 Sheridan Road, and 1662 Chattanooga Avenue.

In May of 2024, MCLB was awarded a $2.4 million Welcome Home Ohio grant. YNDC managed the development and construction of six newly constructed homes and renovated six vacant homes, for a total of 12 affordable homeownership opportunities.

In October of 2024, the ODOD awarded a $5 million Welcome Home Ohio grant to the MCLB, in partnership with YNDC. The funding was used to construct 19 new homes for affordable homeownership.

The newly constructed homes were built with a minimum of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage.

Thank you to the Mahoning County Land Bank and the Welcome Home Ohio program for their support and partnership in creating quality, affordable homes!

Charles Turner is a Grass Cutting and Clean Up Team Member for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Charles collaborates with a team of professional and labor staff in the implementation of large scale grass cutting and clean up of vacant homes, boarding of vacant housing, vacant lot management, basic construction, and other field and maintenance projects to improve the quality of life in strategic Youngstown neighborhoods.

Ken Scheetz is a Grass Cutting and Clean Up Team Member for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Ken collaborates with a team of professional and labor staff in the implementation of large scale grass cutting and clean up of vacant homes, boarding of vacant housing, vacant lot management, basic construction, and other field and maintenance projects to improve the quality of life in strategic Youngstown neighborhoods.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

YNDC is proud to announce the publishing of its performance report from the 3rd Quarter of 2026!

The performance report highlights the work of YNDC from July to September 2026.

An electronic copy can be downloaded below. 

Rae Garrett is a Grass Cutting and Clean Up Team Member for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Rae collaborates with a team of professional and labor staff in the implementation of large scale grass cutting and clean up of vacant homes, boarding of vacant housing, vacant lot management, basic construction, and other field and maintenance projects to improve the quality of life in strategic Youngstown neighborhoods.