$8.7M project at YARS gets OK from House subcommittee
More steps to full approval from government
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A U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee approved $8.7 million to widen a runway / taxiway at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.
The House Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee approved the funding Monday for the Vienna facility. It still needs to get approved by the full appropriations committee, the House and the Senate.
"The citizens of northeast Ohio pay a lot in taxes to the federal government, and it is my job to bring as much of that money back to our community to create jobs, raise wages and improve our quality of life," said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, an appropriations committee member
YARS is the home of the 910th Airlift Wing, the Department of Defense's only large-area, fixed-wing aerial spray unit.
The project would widen the runway / taxiway necessary to support C-17 and C-130 aircraft and help ensure the long-term viability of the air station, Ryan said.
"The runway widening is not only a win for YARS and the Mahoning Valley, but even more so for the Air Force as a whole," Col. Jeff Dootingh, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing, said.
"This is wonderful news for the largest employer in Trumbull County. The work done by the Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission and Executive Director Vito Abruzzino advocating for YARS is extremely valuable," said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber. "Kudos to the Valley's congressional delegation for supporting our military economy. Tim Ryan, Rob Portman, Sherrod Brown, Bill Johnson, Anthony Gonzalez and Dave Joyce crossed party lines to get this done for the Valley."
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