WARREN — Mayor Doug Franklin delivered an optimistic State of the City address Tuesday at the “Good Morning, Warren!” event at the new Warren G. Harding High School Wellness Center.

Addressing a crowd of community leaders and residents, Franklin highlighted Warren’s economic resurgence and the collaborative partnerships driving its transformation.

“This morning, as I update everyone on our city projects, it’s clear that our greatest successes stem from collaborative partnerships,” Franklin said, pointing to a series of developments reshaping the city’s future.

A key focus was the $4.3 million Appalachian Community Grant, announced last year by Gov. Mike DeWine, to fund the Warren Waterway Trail, which will link the downtown peninsula to Perkins Park with a walkway and pedestrian bridge. Franklin noted that design and engineering for the bridge are nearly complete, with demolition underway at the former Reeves Building on West Market Street — a site earmarked for a future hotel.

“This is an exciting prospect for our city, and it will transform our downtown,” he said.

Significant private investments also are fueling Warren’s growth. Kimberly-Clark’s $9 million purchase of 560 acres at the former Republic Steel site is projected to create 500 jobs with a payroll nearing $500 million in its first phase, with future expansions potentially doubling that investment. Rural King’s $7.8 million investment in the Trumbull Plaza and Cleveland Steel Container’s expansion, adding 42 jobs, further signal Warren’s rising economic vitality.

Franklin also highlighted the West Warren Industrial Park, a $12 million project on 86 acres that includes a 98,000-square-foot facility for warehousing and light manufacturing.

“This is a significant investment in an area where properties have been neglected for over 30 years,” he said, emphasizing its role in job creation and tax revenue.

Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber, echoed Franklin’s optimism, praising the city’s leadership and corporate partners who have welcomed Kimberly-Clark to the community.

“You’re not just a recreation company. You’re a great corporate citizen,” Coviello said.

He underscored the region’s rapid economic growth, noting that the four-county Lake to River region needs 20,000 more workers by 2030 to fill priority occupations.

“We are in fierce competition to grow our population and workforce,” he said, emphasizing the need to market Warren’s quality of life along with its job opportunities.

Coviello highlighted striking post-COVID-19 trends.Coviello said during his speech that Warren’s population has grown for the first time in decades, its median age has dropped by two years, poverty has declined 1.5% more than the state average and median income has risen 28% compared to Ohio’s 20%.

“Warren is getting bigger, younger, richer,” he declared. “When was the last time anybody uttered that sentence?”

Franklin also addressed the city’s challenges, including the closure of two Trumbull County hospitals by Insight Medical Systems. The hospitals were formerly owned by Steward Health Care. He reaffirmed his commitment to health care access, noting that he has urged the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to investigate the closures’ financial dealings. U.S. Rep. David Joyce, R-Bainbridge, alongside other lawmakers, also has requested a federal investigation.

The mayor discussed how community trust was vital to progress, spotlighting the Policing Community Trust Initiative to strengthen ties between residents and law enforcement.

“Trust isn’t separate from growth — it drives it,” Franklin said, directing residents to warrenpcti.com for updates.

A recent Greater Ohio Policy Center report, cited by Franklin, shows Warren’s poverty rates slightly declining, homeownership rising nearly 3% from 2020 to 2023, and median household income growing faster than county and state averages.

“These gains are not accidental,” Franklin said. “They’re the result of years of hard work by dedicated individuals, groups and organizations.”

The event also featured updates from Warren City Schools Superintendent Steve Chiaro, who received the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation’s 2024 Ohio Superintendent of the Year Award, and representatives from Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley and 7 17 Credit Union. Guests also toured the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Franklin concluded with a call to action, urging residents to support local businesses and engage in community initiatives.

“The state of the city is one of determined resilience and hopeful progress,” he said. “Together, we can shape a Warren that is vibrant, inclusive and ready for the next chapter.”