CONTENTS
Welcome from the Chamber 8
From the President’s Desk 12
Mahoning Valley Regional Housing Strategy 16
Events 20
Q&A 26
Ribbon Cuttings 32
Youngstown Business Incubator 36
New Members 40
Member Search 45
CONTENTS
Welcome from the Chamber 8
From the President’s Desk 12
Mahoning Valley Regional Housing Strategy 16
Events 20
Q&A 26
Ribbon Cuttings 32
Youngstown Business Incubator 36
New Members 40
Member Search 45
WELCOME FROM THE CHAMBER
Over the past several years, the Valley has had its share of big economic development projects and
project announcements.
Rewind to December 2019, when General Motors and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution announced a
partnership to create Ultium Cells to mass produce battery cells for electric vehicles, and to
manufacture those cells at a factory in Lordstown. The multibillion plant employs about 2,200 union and
nonunion workers, ranking it among the largest, if not the largest, private-sector employer in the
region.
Then in May 2022, Foxconn, the Taiwanese global technology and electronics firm, acquired the former GM
small car assembly plant in Lordstown, with its sights set on entering the EV market.
At the end of the next year, Kimberly-Clark, the Texas-based manufacturer of popular consumer brands
like Kleenex, Cottonelle, Huggies, Kotex and Depend, acquired more than 500 acres of the former RG Steel
mill site in Trumbull County. It’s hoped the Fortune 200 company will use the land to build a
manufacturing plant that will employ hundreds, if not more, people.
Earlier this year, ground was broken in Bazetta on a $30 million Amazon warehouse and distribution
center And just in February, the state announced $26 million to help fund the Additive Manufacturing
Innovation Hub in downtown Youngstown. The state money, combined with several million in local, federal
and private investment, will bring together partners in government, education and the private sector to
establish Youngstown globally as Ground Zero for additive manufacturing.
This project, like the others mentioned above, is why the Regional Chamber has launched several
transformational initiatives to condition the regional landscape for sustained economic and job
growth.
Population and talent expansion, coupled with removing barriers to workforce participation, is one of
the initiatives. Another is improving the Valley’s housing stock, a story on which is part of this
edition of Valley Business, because as our Communications Manager Ron Selak writes, among the top
questions asked by site selectors and employers trying to determine whether to grow or locate a business
is, ‘Where are their employees going to live?’
The Mahoning Valley Regional Housing Strategy starts to answer that
question.
Kim Calvert
Executive Vice President, Membership, Events & MarComm
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Stay in your lane” is an outdated phrase that was once uttered all too often in
the Mahoning Valley. It’s a phrase that created silos.
Likewise, its variant, “I’m over here in my lane,” is a phrase that enables one to
run from responsibility. It’s a cowardly phrase.
Fortunately, over the past several years a new generation of leaders at the Valley’s economic and
community development agencies have taken a different approach. We still have our lanes, but think of
them more like lanes of a highway rather than swim lanes.
In swimming, those in the other lanes are competitors. In swimming, enter someone’s lane, or even
touch the rope, and there are severe consequences.
On the highway, if you see a roadblock ahead in your lane, put on your turn signal, I’ll flash my
headlights and you can merge into my lane and never have to slow down. On the highway, if you’re
in the disabled vehicle lane, I’ll pull over into your lane, stop and help.
Because those of us engaged in economic and community development are in and out of each other’s
lanes so often, to the layperson this can appear confusing. There’s the Youngstown/Warren Regional
Chamber. There’s Lake to River Economic Development. There’s Valley Economic Development
Partners. There’s the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments serving as the federal Economic
Development Administration’s regional agency. There’s the Western Reserve Port Authority
developing sites and infrastructure for economic development. There’s the Youngstown Business
Incubator, BRITE Energy Innovators and many others all helping the Valley grow jobs, develop business
and generate investment.
A couple analogies help here. Even though we have Panera, we still have Rise Pies,
O’Charley’s, Outback and many others. Even though we have general practitioners, we still
have allergists, neurologists, osteopaths and many others. They are all restaurants and doctors, but
they all cater to a different desire or need.
We are all economic development agencies with our own specialties. Most importantly, like the doctors,
we are sharing, referring and collaborating.
We do not stay in our lanes.
Now, a little bit of this and a little bit of that . . .
Hats off to Warren City Schools and Superintendent Steve Chiaro for using a weighted rating system that
leads to hiring local architects, engineers and builders for construction projects.
Formulas created by economic experts peg the multiplier effect of construction projects at 13 to 17
times over 10 years. That means Warren City Schools’ most recent decision to hire a Valley
contractor to build a more than $30 million recreational/wellness center is resulting in hundreds of
millions of trickle-down economic impact pumped into the Valley.
Every decision-maker in the Valley, public or private, for-profit or nonprofit, should adopt this
practice. And whether or not this practice is exercised should be a primary consideration when it comes
time to voting on tax levies, awarding philanthropic support and conducting personal business.
And now for a little bit of bragging...
New national research shows the value chambers of commerce bring to their communities. Here are some
nuggets:
• 86% of adults who are familiar with their local chamber are satisfied with it.
• Adults selected growing the local economy, growing businesses locally and creating jobs as the
most perceived impact.
• Half of adults say if they know a local business is a chamber member, they will view the
business more favorably, be more inclined to shop there and more likely to recommend the business to
others.
And finally...
April is a big month for the Regional Chamber. We start with our annual Columbus Drive-in, descending
on the state capitol with nearly 100 business and government leaders to push the Valley’s top
public policy priorities. Then comes our Annual Meeting, during which our keynote speaker will show how
jobs our partner, Lake to River, creates in one community impacts other communities in the region. Then
we close the month with our annual Good Morning, Youngstown, during which Mayor Tito Brown will deliver
his state of the city address.
See you there.
Guy Coviello
President & CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber
RECOMMENDATIONS TO BUILD ON STRENGTHS AND ADDRESS CHALLENGES ROLLED OUT IN MAHONING VALLEY REGIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY
By Ron Selak
Among the first questions—if not the very first—employers, businesses and site selectors
ask when trying to determine whether to locate or expand a business in any given community is,
“Where are the employees going to live?”
Well, now there is a blueprint to begin to answer that question for Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
The Mahoning Valley Regional Housing Strategy, rolled out in January, lays out regional and localized
recommendations to build on existing strengths and address unique challenges here in the Valley to
strengthen and stabilize the region’s housing market.
“This is a framework, better yet, a playbook we will follow over the course of years to
come,” Jim Kinnick, executive director, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, said.
“It’s not a magic wand that will change things overnight. It will evolve over time; we will
adapt to the conditions, and we will learn from each other and grow as we move forward.”
Eastgate and The Youngstown Foundation paid for the yearlong study done by consultant Greater Ohio
Policy Center (GOPC) and subconsultant Reinvestment Fund. The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber
provided coordinating support.
Alison Goebel is executive director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center, a statewide nonprofit that
performs research and analysis to develop policy recommendations and strategies.
“Eastgate tasked GOPC and the Reinvestment Fund with developing a strategy, or action-oriented
plan, that their local government members and partners across the region could utilize, and that this
strategy could be utilized at the individual through local jurisdiction level and leverages the power of
the region,” Goebel said.
The Reinvestment Fund, a financial analytics leader, developed a market value analysis.
GOPC developed the housing needs assessment that examined multiple populations, from senior citizens to
one-adult households, as well as their housing cost burden, plus a rough housing market analysis that
starts to paint a picture of future development, opportunities and needs.
Their effort to develop the strategy also included interviews with between 100-125 people, from
developers, local government officials and service providers, to regional housing groups and economic
development officials.
“Encouragingly, most of the people we spoke to believe there is an opportunity for stakeholders
in the region to work collaboratively, and there is a willingness for everyone to roll up their sleeves
and get down to business,” Goebel said. “That acknowledgment bodes really well for the
implementation of the regional housing strategy.”
RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations contained in the strategy are sorted into regional and localized approaches.
The local recommendations, said Goebel, “are for individual municipalities and townships and can
be implemented regardless of the status of the regional recommendations. Both sets of recommendations
and initiatives we are proposing are going to support each other, but they are not dependent on each
other, and that gives the flexibility at the local level … to move at a pace that is comfortable
to them.”
The regional recommendations are:
• Create a two-county housing consortium that, according to Justin Mondok, Eastgate’s
director of planning and development, would be the “hub” of the strategy to “bring
together all of the stakeholders, align all of the efforts and provide technical assistance.”
• Create an emerging developers training program to help folks enter the real estate development
industry. Help here could include business plan development, how to work with building departments or
funding assistance.
• Coordinated zoning code adjustments.
• Downpayment assistance programs. Here, employers would help provide financial help to their
workers to purchase a home. “We have seen this elsewhere,” Goebel said. “It helps
employers recruit and retain talent.”
• Proactively assemble land. This concept identifies and acquires, through an entity, land for
development in larger-acre sites that are more attractive to developers.
The localized recommendations were built around multiple goals: Protect the region’s housing
stock and prevent decline; enhance neighborhoods and support residents; protect vulnerable populations;
and lower barriers to development and redevelopment.
They are presented a la carte—a way that allows local leaders to select items they feel they are
capable and ready to move on.
“While it would be great for a city or township to move on all of the recommendations relative to
their markets, we know resources are limited, so we intentionally provided a range of recommendations
that allow local governments, nonprofits and others to lean into their different strengths,”
Goebel said.
It is understood that Ohio needs about 270,000 homes, but that number in the Valley is difficult to
pinpoint.
“The data is hard for our area. The lion’s share of those 270,000 are in the Columbus area
just because that is the growing region of Ohio. For us, the data parses out to show, technically, we
have a surplus of units, however, those units are mismatched for what we think is the demand, so they
are either units that are in unsatisfactory quality, they aren’t the right size of house that
people who are looking in the market want or they are not in the right location for where people want to
be,” Mondok said.
“So, that is part of our unique problem. When you hear about a housing crisis at-large around the
county, its supply, supply, supply—we need to build more houses. Ours is a little different. We
need to build more houses, but we need to build the right kind in the right place, and we also have this
albatross of currently having too many units, so it changes the value proposition for builders, because
why would they build a house if there is enough for the people that are here, so the population aspect
plays against us,” Mondok said.
A TEAM APPROACH
Each one of the regional recommendations will be led by entities with expertise in those areas. Still,
there will be an emphasis on a cross-sectoral approach and shared leadership because housing is too big
of an issue for any one organization to tackle alone.
“This strategy brings together public agencies, private developers, nonprofit organizations and
community stakeholders to ensure these efforts are aligned and resources are maximized,” Mondok
said.
Eastgate, he said, would take a lead role in the housing consortium and zoning adjustments. Meanwhile,
initial discussions have been with Valley Economic Development Partners as a leader in the emerging
developers training program; the Western Reserve Port authority and land banks in Trumbull and Mahoning
counties will lead land assembly; and the Chamber is taking the lead with the downpayment assistance
program recommendation.
OTHER COMPONENTS
In addition to its leading role in the downpayment assistance program, the Chamber is assembling a
housing council of its board of directors that will include developers, builders, lenders, landowners
and investors “all coming together to work out some of those ways we can make this affordable, so
we can have an increase in the housing stock here,” Guy Coviello, Regional Chamber president &
CEO, said.
The council will be led by John Demmler, president & CEO of 717 Credit Union.
The group has already come up with more than $100 million worth of investment ready to be deployed,
“whether that is soft money, downpayment assistance, lower interest rates and so forth, or hard
money, groups that are ready to invest, ready to build, ready to rehab. That is all coming together very
nicely.”
It includes the emerging developers training program and working with Valley Partners, as well reusing
land with existing infrastructure and new home builder Ryan Homes, said Coviello.
There is also a focus on public policy changes, especially at the state level, to make sure policy that
considers the unique circumstances in the Valley are being considered, as well as engaging lawmakers in
Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula and Columbiana counties in the newly created Lake to River caucus.
There is also positivity around the newly formed Business Advisory Council to the Fed to represent the
Mahoning and Shenango valleys to feed real time, anecdotal qualitative data to Washington so “our
circumstances are taken into consideration when the Fed creates monetary policy.”
“A significant amount of the Fed’s monetary policy is around housing, and so we even have a
builder from the community who is on that new Business Advisory Council to the Fed,” Coviello
said.
The credit union’s Demmler said its board of directors in October committed $100 million in
community reinvestment funding specific to housing initiatives in northeast Ohio.
For Youngstown, 717 is facilitating a $3 million revolving loan fund for façade renovations and a $2
million revolving loan fund for a landlord renovation program. Those are city dollars that came through
American Rescue Plan legislation.
Also, 717 has $7 million for a façade renovation program in Warren, and $35 million for a new
construction program in Youngstown that Demmler said “will focus on infill housing, as well as
revitalizing the urban core.”
Demmler also said 717 intends to be engaged in the housing strategy’s downpayment assistance program recommendation.
EVENTS
Arts & Entertainment
Stambaugh Youth Concert Band Spring Concert
April 15, 7:30 p.m.
Concert Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium, Youngstown
Call the YourArts Box Office at 330-259-9651, or visit experienceyourarts.org to purchase tickets.
Giselle Presented by the Grand Kyiv Ballet
April 18, 7 p.m.
Powers Auditorium at The DeYor Performing Arts Center, Youngstown
Call the YourArts Box Office at 330-259-9651, or experienceyourarts.org to purchase tickets.
Oklahoma! – Youngstown Playhouse
May 9-11, 16-18, Fri/Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 2:30 p.m.
The Main Stage at The Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown
Call the YourArts Box Office at 330-259-9651, or visit experienceyourarts.org to purchase tickets.
STOMP – Presented by Sunrise
May 14, 7:30 p.m.
Powers Auditorium at The DeYor Performing Arts Center, Youngstown
Call the YourArts Box Office at 330-259-9651, or visit experienceyourarts.org to purchase tickets.
Almost, Maine – Youngstown Playhouse
June 6-8, 13-15, Fri/Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 2:30 p.m.
The Moyer Room at the Youngstown Playhouse, Youngstown
Call the YourArts Box Office at 330-259-9651, or visit experienceyourarts.org to purchase tickets.
BENEFIT DINNERS
Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
April 26 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, Youngstown
For current and potential volunteers and their guests. No charge.
RSVP at //www.RescueMissionMV.org/RSVP
Contact: Lynn Wyant, CFRE, Chief Development Officer,
for assistance 330-744-5485,
ext. 503, or
[email protected].
BINGO
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Northeast Ohio District Council
Purses for a Purpose - Designer Bag Bingo
April 10, 5 - 10 p.m. (Doors Open at 4:30 p.m.)
Ciminero’s Banquet Centre, Niles
Cost: $45 per person. Tickets are Limited. Sponsor
Opportunities available.
Contact: Lindy Hilton, Fundraising and Events Manager,
for assistance at
234-223-2933, ext. 106, or
[email protected].
FUNDRAISERS
Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley Home Opener Dress Down Day Fundraiser
April 4 - Pittsburgh Home Opener
April 8 - Cleveland Home Opener
Sign up at www.RescueMissionMV.org/homeopener
Collect small donations at school, work, or from your friends
to give to the Mission in exchange
for wearing your team colors.
Contact: Lynn Wyant, CFRE, Chief Development Officer,
for assistance 330-744-5485,
ext. 503, or
[email protected].
Mahoning Valley Warrior
May 31, 8 a.m.
Canfield Fairgrounds, Canfield
Register here: AutismMV.org
Contact: Stacie M. Bacorn, Director, Autism Society of
Mahoning Valley, for
assistance at [email protected].
GOLF OUTINGS
Sight For All United - Golf Fore Sight
June 2, Shotgun Start at 1 p.m.
The Lake Club, Poland
Cost: $1000 per team. Sponsor opportunities available.
Contact: Leah Sakacs, Executive Director, for assistance at
330-750-1867, or [email protected].
Gateways to Better Living 19th Annual Benefit Golf Outing 4-Person Scramble
June 23, 8 a.m.
The Youngstown Country Club
Cost: $150 per golf; $600 per 4- person team. Sponsor opportunities available. Cost
includes: Breakfast, Lunch,
Open Bar, green fees, cart, prizes and much more
For more information contact: Kristie Murphy, 330-565-9411,
or [email protected].
Golf Fore Goodwill Tournament
June 30, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sponsorship opportunities available.
Contact: Joseph Catullo, Marketing and Relationship
Coordinator, for assistance at
330-759-7921, ext 1210, or [email protected].
HOLIDAY EVENTS
Special Bunny April 16, 9 – 11 a.m.
Eastwood Mall, Niles
Register here: AutismMV.org
Contact: Stacie M. Bacorn, Director, Autism Society of
Mahoning Valley, for
assistance at [email protected].
SUPPORT GROUPS
Morning Support Group March 20, 9 – 10 a.m.
Cracker Barrel, Austintown
Register here: AutismMV.org
Contact: Stacie M. Bacorn, Director, Autism Society of
Mahoning Valley, for
assistance at [email protected].
TOURS
Daffodil Day Trolley Tour
April 26, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Fellows Riverside Gardens
Cost: Adults: $10 Resident; $12 Non-Resident; Seniors/Youth: $7 Resident, $9
Non-Resident. Register/pay by April 24.
Contact: millcreekmetroparks.org or call 330.740.7107, ext. 129.
YOUTH SPORTS
Tiny Tikes Soccer League (Ages 3-5)
May 3 – June 14, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wick Recreation Area
Cost: $75 Resident; $85 Non-Resident; Pre-registration required before April 20
Contact: millcreekmetroparks.org, or call 330.740.7114.
Youth Soccer League (Ages 6-12)
May 3 – June 14, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wick Recreation Area
Cost: $90 Resident; $100 Non-Resident; Pre-registration
required before April
20
Contact: millcreekmetroparks.org, or call 330.740.7114.
NFL Flag Football League (Ages 3-12)
May 3 – June 14, 12 - 3 p.m.
Wick Recreation Area
Cost: $130 Resident; $140 Non-Resident; Pre-registration
required before April
20
Contact: millcreekmetroparks.org, or call
330.740.7114.
Youth Flag Football Cheer Squad (Ages 3-12)
May 3 – June 14, 12 - 3 p.m.
Wick Recreation Area
Cost: $90 Resident; $100 Non-Resident; Pre-registration
required before April
18
Contact: millcreekmetroparks.org, or call 330.740.7114.
2nd Annual Batter Up For Autism Softball Tournament to Benefit Potential Development
May 31 - June 1, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Champ Park, Austintown Sponsor opportunities and team registration. Contact: Brian Brindle, Batter Up
for Autism Co-Chair, for assistance at [email protected].
Youth Sports Camp (Ages 6-12)
June 9 -12, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wick Recreation Area
Cost: $100 Resident; $110 Non-Resident; Pre-registration
required before June
9
Contact: millcreekmetroparks.org, or call 330.740.7114.
Youth Archery Camp (Ages 6-12)
June 23 – 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m. MetroParks Farm: Archery Range
Cost: $60.00 Resident; $70.00 Non-Resident; Pre-registration required before June
23
Contact: millcreekmetroparks.org, or call 330.740.7114.
Q&A: Meet the Newest Members of the Regional Chamber Team!
Nico Morgione Director, Government Affairs
Resident of Canfield: Started at the Chamber: Nov. 4, 2024
Q: Would you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert? Why?
A: I am an extreme extrovert. I always love to be doing something and enjoy getting to meet new people.
If I was introverted, I cannot even imagine how different my life would be because my profession and
hobby (playing in a live band) are so reliant on an extroverted personality.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have seen in person?
A: I love to travel to other countries and have been to Croatia, Italy, Czechia and Hungary, to name a
few. In terms of beauty, it is difficult for me to decide between Italy and Greece. I will be going to
Japan in November, so we will see if Italy and Greece are able to remain at the top.
Q: If you could wear only one color for the rest of your life, what would be the
color?
A: Orange is my favorite color, but unfortunately, it’s not practical to wear all orange for the
rest of my life. Therefore, I would choose something like black or grey to be fitting for a variety of
purposes.
Q: What do you believe is an essential professional skill?
A: The ability to confidently communicate with your team and others. Whether that means asking
questions regarding a specific project, bringing forth new ideas, or explaining why decisions are being
made, the ability to confidently bring your voice forward is key in a professional career.
Q: What is something that is happening at the Chamber that is exciting, and how can it
positively impact the future of the Valley?
A: There is a level of collaboration at the Chamber and other regional entities that are committed to
the Valley’s success that we have not seen in years past. Breaking down silos and partnering with
these entities has allowed the Valley to build some exciting momentum. I am excited about the
Chamber’s initiatives to keep the momentum growing with focuses on housing, population and policy
advocacy.
Q: What is your interest in economic development and business advocacy and what led you to this
point in your career?
A: I have always been passionate about the Mahoning Valley, and that is why I was drawn to this role. I
started my professional career in sales and knew I would always be in an external role due to my
outgoing personality. The switch to government affairs has been a smooth transition because rather than
selling a product or service I may not be passionate about, I get the opportunity to advocate for the
Valley every day.
Jim Gasior
President, Regional Chamber Foundation
Resident of Canfield
Started at the Chamber: Jan. 6, 2025
Q: Would you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert? Why?
A: I am neither strongly extroverted nor strongly introverted. I enjoy being with others in various
social settings. I also enjoy opportunities to form new relationships and often like to strike up
conversation while traveling for business or on vacation. Other times I enjoy the solitude of being home
with my wife, children and pets.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have seen in person?
A: I have had the fortune of traveling across the U.S., taking in the beauty of the landscape God has
bestowed on us. One of the most beautiful areas I have visited is the Sonoma Valley in California. The
green peaks and tucked away valleys in this wine region are simply spectacular.
Q: If you could wear only one color for the rest of your life, what would be
the color? Why?
A: Blue has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. Not only is blue aesthetically
appealing, but the color brings me feelings of calmness and serenity.
Q: What do you believe is an essential professional skill?
A: I believe the most successful leaders are those that have a strong work ethic. Work ethics have
changed from the time I began my career in 1982 and may not be viewed as important as other technical or
interpersonal skills, but I do believe employers place great value in employees having a strong work
ethic.
Q: What is something that is happening at the Chamber that is exciting and how
can it positively impact the future of the Valley?
A: The Chamber and its partners are in the process of implementing a regional housing study. The
inventory of housing, or lack thereof, is not unique to our area, but I have seen other regions and
areas across the country proactively address housing and bring in new business and employment
opportunities to their communities.
Q: What is your interest in economic development and business advocacy and
what led you to this point in your career?
A: As a young professional, I spent several years in the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania. Very
similar to our region, the Lehigh Valley was once home to steel production, with Bethlehem Steel being
one of the region’s largest employers. I resided in the area long enough to experience a
renaissance there. The Lehigh Valley successfully evolved through collaborative efforts of the public
and private sectors and is now flourishing as the third largest metropolitan area of Pennsylvania.
The energy and enthusiasm of the Chamber and its partners, along with business and government
leadership, to effect change reminds me of my time in the Lehigh Valley.
Ron Selak
Communications Manager
Resident of Warren
Started at the Chamber: Jan. 6, 2025
Q: Would you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert? Why?
A: Some of both, which is a bit odd, considering my former career in journalism. In my nearly 25 years
as a reporter and editor, I truly enjoyed the interviews and conversations I had with people. The same
goes for this role as the Chamber’s communications manager. But personally, especially nowadays, I
prefer being at home with my wife and children. Sometimes, it’s full-blown introvert after
hours.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have seen in person?
A: The Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. My wife—my then-girlfriend—and I spent about two weeks
in Alaska several years ago with her brother and sister-in-law. While there, my wife and I set off alone
for a few days, stopping in Seward for a minute, on the way to Homer. The bay, the mountains, the rocky
beaches—the environment altogether—was absolutely stunning, as was the wildlife. And we were
there for the Summer Solstice … talk about midnight sun.
Q: If you could wear only one color for the rest of your life, what would be the color?
Why?
A: I am not a terribly flashy person and earth tones suit me, so probably gray.
Q: What do you believe is an essential professional skill?
A: The ability to solve problems and critically analyze subject matter—coupled with
communication—to effectively develop concepts in a free-flowing manner, with everyone in the room
tossing out ideas, weighing the pluses and minuses, effectiveness of the strategy, etc., to nurture a
plan from idea to actuality.
Q: What is something that is happening at the chamber that is exciting and how can it
positively impact the future of the Valley?
A: The Chamber is part of an exciting paradigm shift among local entities—economic development,
nonprofit, governments and others—in the way they operate. Previously, a sense of parochialism
pervaded the Valley, but there’s been a transformation to collaboration and partnerships.
That’s refreshing and can only pay positive dividends for employers and residents here in the
region.
Q: What is your interest in economic development and business advocacy and what led you to this
point in your career?
A: I want to see the Valley flourish; I want to contribute to that success—that’s what attracted me to this role with the Chamber, which, along with multiple partners, are doing tremendous things to set the Valley up for success. I spent the previous 24 years in journalism, objectively reporting on the news of the day. The move to the Chamber allows me to shed that objectivity and be an advocate for the Valley and its people.
Regional Chamber Ribbon Cuttings
November 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025
A. NEIDER ARCHITECTURE, LLC
Boardman
ALLURE SPA & SALON
Boardman
ARTISTIC ANATOMY
Warren
BIBIBOP ASIAN GRILL- BOARDMAN
Boardman
BLO BLOW DRY BAR CANFIELD
Canfield
BOARDMAN NEIGHBORS
Boardman
B’S HOLISTIC HIVE
Warren
COFFEE RUN LLC
Youngstown
DAVE & BUSTER’S
Niles
daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/niles
FAIR PRICE TAX SERVICE, LLC
Austintown
FITWORKS
Niles
FREDIBERTOS MEXICAN FOOD
Austintown
FULL THROTTLE APPAREL
Girard
FUNNY FARM COMEDY CLUB
Niles
HOMETOWN DISCOUNTS
Leavittsburg
HOMETOWN URGENT CARE
Poland
HUMBLE HELPING HANDS, LLC
Struthers
JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS
Cortland
jerseymikes.com/2073/boardman-oh
JIM’S ROADHOUSE BURGERS & BEEF
North Lima
LIBERTY ROOFING CENTER
Youngstown
MR. JAY’S CLOSET
Youngstown
N’YOMI FAIR FOOD
Niles
RABBIT STEW, LLC
Boardman
RED DOOR CHURCH EMPORIUM
North Jackson
REVITALIZE ORTHOBIOLOGICS
& WELLNESS, LLC
Canfield
SWEATHOUZ
Boardman
THE VARSITY CLUB YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown
TOMMY’S EXPRESS CAR WASH
Austintown
tommys-express.com/locations/oh449
VITAL EVOLUTION
Canfield
YOUNGSTOWN BUSINESS INCUBATOR: Working with all businesses from wineries to manufacturers
By Amanda C. Davis
Owning Ohio’s first black, female-owned cidery is a big deal to Hannah Ferguson, and she
attributes a good deal of her success to Youngstown Business Incubator.
Ferguson owns DOPE Cider House & Winery downtown, offering hard ciders and wine since August 2022 in a
leased space at Penguin City Brewing.
She said the nonprofit incubator, 241 W. Federal St., worked tirelessly to help her get certifications
needed to operate DOPE (Dwelling On Positive Energy).
“And they are currently helping me seek funding to expand and grow my business,” she said,
adding she works one-on-one with staff members who are always readily available to help her.
YBI awarded Ferguson $10,000 in 2023 for being the audience choice winner of its YBI Shark Tank event.
The prize was sponsored by partner Medical Mutual.
Elevating Every Entrepreneur
YBI’s focus is Elevating Every Entrepreneur and has four core programs: technology
entrepreneurship; small business development for women, minorities and veterans; advanced manufacturing;
and a youth-based program.
Tanisha Wheeler, YBI’s regional director of the minority business assistance center, said she
helps existing, minority-owned businesses in the seven Lake to River counties to thrive.
She helps them secure funding and certification, land contracts and access general business advice, all
for free, she said.
Wheeler loves her job and is motivated by helping business owners who might be struggling.
“The joy of changing a single mother’s life and seeing that spark go off ... it gives them
momentum,” she said. “It’s so rewarding.”
The incubator took shape in 1988 when community leaders committed to addressing erosion of jobs from
sectors including the steel industry.
Technology-based program
CEO Barb Ewing said YBI started in 1995 as a general-purpose incubator. The focus switched to
technology in 2001 when Ohio created a program for tech-based economic development, she said.
According to its website, YBI has 370 companies in its portfolio, has helped them raise $73 million in
revenue and secured $63.4 million in capital.
Stephanie Gaffney, YBI’s vice president of advanced manufacturing, said her focus is helping
existing manufacturers “identify opportunities where they can utilize the technology we
offer” to reduce costs and lead times, and to run more efficiently.
She said YBI works with businesses of all sizes, from small, local machine shops to larger companies
such as Goodyear Tires. YBI, in the last 10 years, has executed $75 million in state, local and federal
contracts in additive manufacturing, she added.
Chandler Fiffick, YBI’s senior director of EVOLVE technology program, works with entrepreneurs
with tech-based startups.
“We have a team of advanced manufacturing engineers who specialize in additive manufacturing
processes residing on our campus,” she said, adding they want to expand their capacity and attract
more startups into the EVOLE portfolio.
EVOLVE focuses on companies in northeast Ohio but Fiffick works with some as far as Colorado and
California because they have secondary locations here.
“We have a phenomenal niche right here in Youngstown with additive manufacturing,” she
said, noting that’s her program’s focus. “We’re trying to bring more of those
types of companies to Youngstown.”
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, creates physical objects from digital models.
Fiffick said her program, in 2023, helped 41 companies generate $30 million in revenue, created or
maintained 400 jobs in Ohio and secured $165 million in third-party capital to help grow businesses.
EVOLVE’s partnerships are free, and Fiffick said YBI provides guidance at every developmental
stage to alleviate the isolation some owners feel when starting a company.
Megan Payich, YBI’s director of youth entrepreneurship, said many students she’s worked
with didn’t have access to technology or experiences needed to succeed as entrepreneurs.
What they did have were great ideas for small business development, she added.
YBI wants to expose students to technology and has over 30 virtual reality headsets they take into 22
local schools and programs such as the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Youngstown.
The program offers over 40 virtual reality “experiences” that take students into hospital
settings, local manufacturing facilities or on trips to places such as an elephant sanctuary, Payich
said.
Field trips can be expensive, she added, explaining that “virtual reality is the next best
thing.”
For more information, visit www.ybi.org.
NEW MEMBERS
Regional Chamber New Members • October 5, 2024 to January 20, 2025
Accounting
FAIR PRICE TAX SERVICE, LLC
Austintown
Tax Assistance - ACCOUNTING
Advertising
FULL THROTTLE APPAREL
Girard
Promotional Products - ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PR
HOUCK AGENCY
Boardman
Ad Agencies - ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PR
KRAZY LADY CRAFTZ, LLC
West Farmington
Printers - ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PR
NURSE WITH A LASER
Garrettsville
Promotional Products - ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PR
TOUCHPOINT MARKETING
Hubbard
ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PR
Agriculture
TAM SYSTEMS
Salem
Farming Equipment & Services - AGRICULTURE
Associations
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF GREATER YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown
Civic - ASSOCIATIONS
Automobile Services
MIND OVER MOTOR
Austintown
Auto Repair - VEHICLE SALES / RENTALS / REPAIRS
NIKI D’ATRI ENTERPRISES
Youngstown
Auto Parts - DISTRIBUTION
SNYDER’S ANTIQUE AUTO PARTS, INC.
New Springfield
Auto Parts - DISTRIBUTION
YOUNGSTOWN AUTO WRECKING
Youngstown
Auto Parts - DISTRIBUTION
YOUNGSTOWN U-PULL-IT, INC.
Youngstown
Auto Parts - DISTRIBUTION
Business Services
3 SONS SIGNS, LLC
Girard
Signs - MANUFACTURING
ADVANCED SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES
Chester
BUSINESS SERVICES
CIGAR GIRLFRIEND
Austintown
BUSINESS SERVICES
OVERDRIVE ESPRESSO, LLC
Warren
BUSINESS SERVICES
TEAMSWORK
Poland
Consultants - BUSINESS SERVICES
WAYFINDER BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
Canfield
Consultants - BUSINESS SERVICES
WELLNESS RENEWED, LLC
Newton Falls
BUSINESS SERVICES
Community Services
MOAB HOUSE
Boardman
Youth Services - SOCIAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES
THE OPTIMIST CLUB FOUNDATION OF BAZETTA-CORTLAND
optimistclubofbazettacortland.com
Cortland
Organizations - SOCIAL & COMMUNITY SERVICES
Construction
ALL MILLERS ROOFING
Orwell
Roofing - CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC.
Warren
ENGINEERING
FABIAN WOODWORKING, LLC
Poland
Cabinetry - CONSTRUCTION
HERITAGE LAND SURVEYING, LLC
Poland
Surveyors - ENGINEERING
JOE KOCH CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Austintown
Building & General Contractors - CONSTRUCTION
LEGEND PAINTING, INC.
Campbell
Building & General Contractors - CONSTRUCTION
LIBERTY MAINTENANCE, INC.
Youngstown
CONSTRUCTION
McKENZIE CONSTRUCTION, LLC
Niles
Roofing - CONSTRUCTION
MH&E EXCAVATING & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
North Lima
Building & General Contractors - CONSTRUCTION
PENCHURA, LLC
Brighton
CONSTRUCTION
SURVOY’S SUPERIOR SERVICE-YOUNGSTOWN / CRANBERRY
HVAC - CONSTRUCTION
YODER’S ROOFING
Rogers
Roofing - CONSTRUCTION
Education
FLYING TREES ACADEMY
Poland
Schools - EDUCATION
HAPPY CAMPERS LEARNING CENTER - CHURCHILL CAMPUS
Youngstown
Daycare - EDUCATION
NATIONAL HERITAGE ACADEMY
Grand Rapids
Schools - EDUCATION
TOASTMASTERS EXECUTIVE 408
Boardman
Training - EDUCATION
WONDER VILLAGE
Austintown
Daycare - EDUCATION
Entertainment
DAVE & BUSTER’S
daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/niles
Niles
Entertainment - ARTS & CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT
FUNNY FARM COMEDY CLUB
Niles
Entertainment - ARTS & CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT
KNOLL RUN GOLF COURSE
Lowellville
Golf - ARTS & CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT
KOOL LAKES CAMPGROUND
Garrettsville
Travel - ARTS & CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT
NINJA NATION BOARDMAN
Boardman
Entertainment - ARTS & CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT
THE BRACEVILLE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
Newton Falls
Museums - ARTS & CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT
Healthcare Services
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION SUPPORTS
Vienna
Developmental Disabilities - HEALTHCARE
EMBRACE CHIROPRACTIC
Boardman
Physician Services - HEALTHCARE
GLORIS COUNSELING SERVICES, LLC
Boardman & Warren
Mental Health & Addiction Services - HEALTHCARE
HELPING 2 OVERCOME SYSTEMS
Bedford Heights
Mental Health & Addiction Services - HEALTHCARE
HOMETOWN URGENT CARE
Poland
Urgent Care - HEALTHCARE
HUMBLE HELPING HANDS, LLC
Struthers
Home Health Care - HEALTHCARE
MINDWELL PSYCHIATRY
Canfield
Mental Health & Addiction Services - HEALTHCARE
NORA MENTAL HEALTH
Youngstown
Mental Health & Addiction Services - HEALTHCARE
OPTIMAL HEALTH & WELL-BEING, LLC
Berlin Center
Health Agency Services - HEALTHCARE
REVITALIZE ORTHOBIOLOGICS & WELLNESS, LLC
Canfield
HEALTHCARE
STEEL VALLEY MOBILITY
Austintown
Home Health Care - HEALTHCARE
VITAL EVOLUTION
Canfield
HEALTHCARE
WALDRON CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS CENTER
Cortland
Physician Services - HEALTHCARE
WARREN NURSING & REHAB
warren.health/
Warren
Nursing/Assisted Living - HEALTHCARE
Home & Commercial Services
A WISE HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
Cortland
HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES/REPAIR
HOLKO’S TINT SHOP
Cortland
Windows - HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES/REPAIR
MOLD TESTERS LLC
Youngstown
Home Inspection - HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES/REPAIR
PHIL’S GRASSHOPPER TREE SERVICE & GARDEN CENTER, LLC
Youngstown
Landscaping & Tree Services - HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES/REPAIR
SEBASTIANI TRUCKING, INC.
Canfield
Waste Management - HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES/REPAIR
TWIST BRITE
Warren
Electric Parts Dist - DISTRIBUTION
WALTERS PAVING
Warren
Asphalt-Cement-Paving - HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES/REPAIR
Hospitality
CANDYWOOD WINE CELLAR
Vienna
Meeting & Conference Venues - HOSPITALITY
THE VON ISLEY ESTATE
Niles
Event Planners - HOSPITALITY
Insurance
PRODUCER’S WEALTH SPRING
Warren
Insurance Services - INSURANCE
VALLEY BENEFITS SOLUTIONS
Canfield
Insurance Agency - INSURANCE
Investments
SOUND MONEY SOUND MIND
Struthers
Investments - FINANCE
T F HOLDINGS
Youngstown
Investments - FINANCE
IT Services
ECHO360, INC.
Austintown
Software - IT & TECH SERVICES
KING WIRELESS & SMOKE SHOP
Youngstown
Phone Services - IT & TECH SERVICES
Legal
DOTTORE COMPANIES, LLC
Cleveland
Attorneys - LEGAL
JONES & YOUNG
Warren
Attorneys - LEGAL
JOSEPH LAW GROUP
Beachwood
Attorneys - LEGAL
Manufacturing
DIVER STEEL CITY AUTO CRUSHERS, INC.
iscrapapp.com/yards/us-ohio-youngstown-diver-steel-city-auto-crusher
Youngstown
Fabricated metals - MANUFACTURING
KINGS COMPANY, LLC
Girard
Wood Products - MANUFACTURING
REM ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CO., INC.
Warren
Electrical & Testing Equipment Mfg - MANUFACTURING
VANEX TUBE CORPORATION
Niles
Steel - MANUFACTURING
Pet Care
SILVER PAW, LLC
Leetonia
Veterinarians - PET CARE & ANIMAL SERVICES
Real Estate
ECONOMY SELF STORAGE
Warren
Commercial Properties - REAL ESTATE
REstaurants & Dining
BIBIBOP ASIAN GRILL- BOARDMAN
Boardman
Fast Food - RESTAURANTS
CAFE 422
Youngstown
Casual Dining - RESTAURANTS
DRAUGHT HOUSE
Youngstown
Casual Dining - RESTAURANTS
FREDIBERTAS MEXICAN FOOD DRIVE-THRU
Austintown
RESTAURANTS
JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS
Cortland
Fast Food - RESTAURANTS
TAQUERIA EL VAQUERO
Boardman
Casual Dining - RESTAURANTS
TOTALLY 80s ICE ICE CREAM SHOPPE
Austintown
RESTAURANTS
ZAZA HOSPITALITY, LLC
Warren
Casual Dining - RESTAURANTS
Retail
AYR DISPENSARY
Niles
Smoke - RETAIL
CARDINAL HEALTH
Girard
Medical Supply Sales - RETAIL
DOUGHLICIOUS BAKERY
Warren
Food/Beverage/Bakeries/Candies - RETAIL
EAGLE RENTAL PURCHASE
Boardman & Niles
Rental Services - RETAIL
HOMETOWN DISCOUNTS
Leavittsburg
Stores - RETAIL
MR. JAY’S CLOSET
Youngstown
Apparel - RETAIL
RABBIT STEW, LLC
Boardman
RETAIL
RED DOOR CHURCH EMPORIUM
North Jackson
Jewelers & Collectibles - RETAIL
SASSY SAVINGS LLC
Girard
Stores - RETAIL
THE BONFIRE BOUTIQUE, LLC
Youngstown
Outdoor Products - RETAIL
YOUNGSTOWN CLOTHING COMPANY - EASTWOOD MALL
Niles
Apparel - RETAIL
Self Care
ALLURE SPA & SALON
Boardman
Spas - WELLNESS/SELF-CARE
ARTISTIC ANATOMY
Warren
Personal Care Services - WELLNESS/SELF-CARE
B’S HOLISTIC HIVE
Warren
WELLNESS/SELF-CARE
CREW PHYSICAL THERAPY
Boardman
Fitness Centers - WELLNESS/SELF-CARE
FITWORKS
Niles
Fitness Centers - WELLNESS/SELF-CARE
PLANET FITNESS AUSTINTOWN
Austintown
Fitness Centers - WELLNESS/SELF-CARE
Transportation
PRICE 4 LIMO AKRON
price4limo.com/locations/ohio/charter-bus-akron/
West Palm Beach
Bus - TRANSPORTATION/LOGISTICS,TRANSPORTATION/LOGISTICS
