Chamber Partners with Foundation to Make EOMAC Independent

WARREN, Ohio – The Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission will now be housed at and overseen by the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio and its affiliate, the Trumbull County Community Foundation.

The agency, which was created by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber in 2014, will continue its work of advocating for Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Camp James A. Garfield in Ravenna.

“The intention all along was for EOMAC to be a standalone organization focusing on protecting and growing the economic output of the air station,” said Tom Humphries, president and CEO of the chamber, in a statement. “The Community Foundation, because of its impeccable reputation serving the community, is the perfect vehicle for propping up EOMAC as an independent organization. We look forward to a years-long partnership.”

Through the partnership, the Regional Chamber will continue to provide the military affairs commission with aid in marketing and government relations.

Since it was founded, the Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission has helped attracted millions of dollars in federal investment in the two military installations. The agency also received a $600,000 grant in the current Ohio operating budget.

Most recently, EOMAC helped secure four C-130J aircraft in the defense budget and ensured that Youngstown Air Reserve Station would be a site considered for the planes, which would help protect the station from future Pentagon cuts.

“We have been successful for YARS and the Valley economy because of the strong working relationship between EOMAC, the Regional Chamber and the state of Ohio,” said Vito Abruzzino, director of EOMAC. “Now that we have the Community Foundation in the mix, the future looks even better.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.