Over the last several decades, Youngstown and Warren, like many smaller Midwestern legacy cities, have experienced economic and social decline due to expanded poverty, an aging population, disinvestment in neighborhoods, deteriorating housing stock, aging infrastructure, high unemployment, and a work skills gap.
Recently, public-private sector collaboration, investments in technology and entrepreneurship, and efforts to rebuild the urban core have made the Mahoning Valley attractive to business owners, developers, and new residents. According to the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber's annual Economic Development Report Card, private companies invested more than $216 million in the Mahoning Valley in 2017. The investments encompassed 367 projects and created more than 900 new jobs while retaining an additional 2,434 jobs.
Is this momentum sustainable? How can the Valley continue its economic growth? Join us as the Mayors of Youngstown and Warren, along with economic development experts, share their perspectives on the State of the Valley.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6 p.m., and the forum is from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.