1. 100 E. Federal Street, Suite 422
  2. Youngstown, OH 44503
  3. 234.228.9696

Community Development

Brownfields

Along the Mahoning River stand dozens of unusable, contaminated commercial sites.  Enterprises are hindered from redeveloping due to the high cost of clean-up.

The Western Reserve Port Authority  is eligible for receiving federal grants that can help eliminate astronomical costs while making these sites more valuable to business investments. The Environmental Protection Agency offers a Brownfield Grant that funds the assessment and clean-up of hazardous materials found at brownfield sites.

When brownfield sites are utilized, the surrounding community prospers from increases in property values, a safer environment and more development opportunities.

Services:

  • Phase 1 and 2 assessments
  • Site acquisition and clean-up
  • Site preparation to suit developer

Featured Project: Auto Park-It

  • Phase 1 and 2 assessments were conducted prior to property acquisition
  • Northeast Ohio Development and Finance Authority partnered with Jobs Ohio to manage clean-up and site development

Mahoning River Corridor Initiative

The Mahoning River Corridor Initiative was created to promote economic development, recreation and conservation on the sites along the banks of the Mahoning River. Once the heart and soul of the Mahoning Valley, the Mahoning River Corridor is now challenged by abandoned industry and underdeveloped infrastructure.

The Western Reserve Port Authority  convenes planners and development professionals to concentrate on improving the lands along the Mahoning River to promote new life in the Valley.

MRCI Project List

Project Location
Girard Lowland West Girard
Woodland/Hadnet Bluff Youngstown
Covelli Center Youngstown
422 Gateway Enhancement Youngstown/Girard
Mahoning River Dams Various
Lowellville River Launch Lowellville
Mahoning River Water Trail Trumbull County
Niles River Launch Niles
Niles/Warren Bikeway Link Niles/Warren
Youngstown Bikeway Youngstown
McDonald Bikeway McDonald
Community Gardens Project Corridor-wide

mrci_communities

Grants and funding

  • Over 1200 acres inventoried, mapped and characterized
  • Secured $12.6 million for environmental planning, assessment and remediation work
  • 230 acres have been or are being remediated
  • Secured $22.94 million for infrastructure projects
  • Secured $3.4 million for environmental enhancement projects

Opportunity sites

The MRCI Feasibility study includes a site map and profile for all sites 16 sites the MRCI is working with.

Regional Rail Strategy

An Immediate Needs Assessment of railroad infrastructure in the Youngstown-Warren Mahoning Valley region was commissioned by the Western Reserve Port Authority.

This study has identified five railroad infrastructure projects critical to growth and development in the Mahoning Valley. Click here to download the Immediate Needs Assessment.

Mahoning River Corridor Mayors’ Association

The Mayors’ Association is made up of leaders from nine cities along the Mahoning River, who collaborate on the strategic redevelopment of the Mahoning River Corridor. Mayors and City Managers meet quarterly to advocate for public and private investment in the local community.

Mayor and City profiles

Mahoning Valley Partnership

The Mahoning Valley Partnership brings together economic development resources among all the regions’ agencies to optimize development opportunities. For detailed information about the MVP, download this Executive Summary.

The Mahoning Valley is in an ideal position to take advantage of opportunities it has never had before. While the Valley is long-recognized as a leader in advanced materials and manufacturing from its roots in steelmaking and supplying industries, burgeoning technologies such as additive manufacturing and advanced materials have allowed for a significant transformation of the regional economy.

Adaptation is needed in order to survive in an incredibly competitive and globalized economy. The most successful areas of this century are those that position themselves around regional hubs that play on key competitive strengths, whether natural assets or industries. By aligning resources in the key areas of community and economic development, the Mahoning Valley will be able to position itself as a viable candidate for increased prosperity. The Mahoning Valley continues to lose population and experiences stagnant per capita income growth despite collaboration on many fronts that has failed to create sustainable coordination of initiatives around shared values for all stakeholders.

Click here to download the full MVP Plan.