Premier Bank Funds Economic Growth Through Chamber Foundation

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A donation from Premier Bank to the Regional Chamber Foundation will help the agency expand its economic development efforts.

During a check presentation Friday, Michael McGiffin, Regional Chamber Foundation president, said the $7,500 will go toward the foundation’s mission.  “We use contributions like this… for our pursuit in economic development in our community,” he said

When donations are made to the foundation, those funds help with business attraction, retention and expansion, along with site readiness, McGiffin said. The latter, he explained, is taking unused and unusable sites throughout the Valley and creating a plan of action to develop that land for a new use.

The donation is a testament to Premier’s dedication in helping the local economy grow, McGriffin said.

“Premier Bank has been an iconic staple in our community for years,” McGiffin said. “Their presence from their people and community leadership is equally matching that iconic tower that you see” along the city skyline.

Premier considers itself “part of Youngstown,” said Josh Toot, Mahoning Valley market president of Premier Bank. The institution sees the benefits of what the foundation does in terms of bringing businesses to the Valley, and then the work to create and retain a workforce, Toot said. “They’re doing it very successfully.”

The Regional Chamber Foundation bridges gaps where businesses may not know about local incentives or business-to-business services, according to McGiffin. “Our foundation exists strictly to build our economy by way of private enterprise,” he said.

The Valley has been successful with job creation and business retention for “many” reasons, but it comes down to one thing, McGiffin said. “The people in this valley have a general sense and strong desire to work, to earn.”

In recent years, “a lot of manufacturing” has come back to the United States, McGiffin said, and while Ohio is a good place for manufacturing companies to call home, “Frankly, Youngstown feels even better.”

The Valley is at a “tipping point” where green land to develop is hard to come by, he continued. Efforts to take areas where factories once stood and reimagine those properties for usable functions is where the foundation is focusing its efforts, McGiffin said.

These are reasons Premier Bank is working to support economic development, Toot said. It’s not just about giving back, but also strengthening the community.

“It’s who we are. The more people, the more jobs, the more businesses they bring to the Valley, it’s not only a win-win for Premier. It’s a win-win for Youngstown,” he said.

Pictured at top: Premier Bank’s Josh Toot poses for a photo with the Regional Chamber Foundation’s Michael McGiffin.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.