Business Journal Joins WRTA ‘Give Local Small Business a Lift!’ Campaign

YOUNGSTOWN , Ohio — WRTA and The Business Journal are asking Valley residents to “Get on the Bus and Give Local Small Business a Lift.”

Beginning May 1, during National Small Business Week, WRTA and The Business Journal are spotlighting 12 local businesses in a 90-day promotional campaign. Business owners can nominate their organization on WRTA’s website by completing a short application form.

Nominations are being accepted through Wednesday March 30.

“Small business has a big impact on our standard of living across the nation and right here in the Valley,” says Dean Harris, executive director of Western Reserve Transit Authority.   “Small business owners and their families take big risks to open and maintain local operations, provide employment, and contribute to the community.  We have the privilege of providing transportation to many of the employees of these entrepreneurs.”

The 12 local small businesses selected for the 2022 campaign will be spotlighted on WRTA’s bus sign advertising, website and social media. The selected businesses’ brands will also be presented on the giant digital display sign above Federal Station and in WRTA television commercials. Each will be featured on BusinessJournalDaily.com and their branding seen in special ads in The Business Journal.

A kickoff event for the campaign will be held Thursday, April 28 at Concept Studio downtown. At that event, each of the selected businesses will be introduced and honored.
As bonus, a drawing will be held at the kickoff event and one business will a $3,000 TV advertising campaign from WKBN TV27.

To qualify for consideration, the small business must be located on or very close to a WRTA Fixed Route (large bus route). Fixed routes are on the major roads in Youngstown and the surrounding suburbs, such as Market Street, Mahoning Avenue, Belmont Avenue and others. To determine if your business is on a fixed route, applicants can check under Maps & Schedules under the Rider Info section of the WRTA website.

If your business qualifies, business owners can submit a self-nomination with the form in the Give a Small Business a Lift section of the news section of the WRTA website.

The businesses selected for the 2022 will be notified by email and announced in this space and on social media.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.