Commissioners split on support for $1M request

Fate of group’s funding goal rests with Cantalamessa

WARREN -- An economic development group asking the Trumbull County Commissioners to provide $1 million toward its effort to bring more development dollars to the area now must wait until Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa decides whether he supports their plans.

Mahoning Valley Partnership made a formal presentation to Trumbull's entire commissioner board Wednesday morning about Valley Vision 2025. Members of the group made a presentation during the Commissioners weekly workshop on Oct. 17.

The $1 million investment, if approved, will be leveraged to attract additional funding from public, private and philanthropic partners.

Commission President Denny Malloy was enthusiastically receptive of looking for ways to provide the group consisting of Western Reserve Port Authority, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Valley Partners, Youngstown Foundation and the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber with the funds requested.

Commissioner Niki Frenchko, however, rejected providing the combined group of businesses and philanthropic organizations with any additional money from the county's coffers.

"I don't believe we should give any more money, simply for you to work together," Frenchko said. "Just do it. These are things that are actually in contracts that they are supposed to be doing already. Especially when we are talking about the chamber.

"They are receiving funds from Trumbull county to do just as what is listed here," she said. "It has been known in Trumbull County and in the Mahoning Valley that everyone works in silos and is in competition with one other."

She added, "The bed tax we are giving the Port Authority is tremendous. I don't think we should be giving additional money to entities that already have a lot and should be working together."

The commissioner suggested Trumbull commissioners already provide several of the organizations, including the regional chamber and the port authority, money to do many of the same things they suggest they would do under this proposal.

"What we have before you addresses areas we are not currently focused on," Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown Regional chamber, said. "We can grow the economy by all of us working together."

He added, "We feel by pooling resources we have a pretty good opportunity to get some state matching dollars and some corporate matching dollars."

Coviello said Valley Vision 2050 has a commitment from the Mahoning County Commissioners to provide $1 million to the effort.

The group also has approached the mayors of Warren and Youngstown.

Malloy said he recently learned there are number of foundations in the area that have budgets of well over $100 million.

Coviello suggested they are expecting to work with the Youngstown Foundation and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.

"We will be approaching them," he said. "We will be presenting opportunities in the philanthropic world and the corporate world."

Coviello suggested that research was done to show that the Mahoning Valley is lagging behind other areas in terms of economic development.

Cantalamessa suggested this is a large ask that he must take under advisement.

Malloy agreed it is a large ask, but he views it as an investment in the county's future, with potential high yields in return.