CANFIELD — Although they didn’t receive an award, Trumbull County commissioners accepted applause and smiles as the county’s economic accomplishments and promising future were touted Thursday morning.

Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber, spotlighted the area in his remarks during the Chamber’s Annual Meeting at Waypoint 4180.

He pointed to the Amazon warehouse project in Bazetta that is expected to create 400 jobs.

“Amazon officials told us we have one of the most business-friendly communities that they have ever worked with,” Coviellio told the audience of 500. “Thank you, Trumbull County commissioners, township trustees, for giving us that reputation.”

Officials from both communities, including Commissioners Rick Hernandez, Denny Malloy and Tony Bernard, attended the event.

Ultium Cells, located in Lordstown, became the county’s largest employer last fall.

“Not because somebody else closed or shrunk, but because Ultium grew, a good sign of where our economy is going.”

While paper-producer Kimberly-Clark hasn’t committed to a deal and Coviello wouldn’t mention the company by name, the former RG Steel location is being prepared for a major economic transformation.

The state Controlling Board on Monday awarded $17 million to the Western Reserve Port Authority to support transportation and infrastructure improvements, as well as brownfield remediation. On Wednesday, Howland trustees accepted Kimberly-Clark’s request for a 10-year, 60% property tax abatement.

“I’m not really going out on much of a limb here, this will result in the Valley’s largest economic development project since Ultium Cells in 2020,” Coviello said.

Other Valley highlights included:

• The Valley ranked No. 61 for economic strength out of 425 U.S. metropolitan areas, Area Development magazine.

• After experiencing a labor force drain in the tens of thousands, the Valley gained 600 new jobs from February 2024 to February 2025.

Collaboration among economic agencies is providing opportunities. Working with the Chamber are the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, Lake to River, Youngstown Business Incubator, America Makes and the Western Reserve Port Authority. These are a few examples.

“We’re not just creating jobs,” Coviello said. “We’re creating jobs with good wages.”