Development Agencies Partner to Promote Lake to River Region

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Several regional economic development agencies have come together to promote development in northeastern Ohio’s Lake to River area, stretching from Ashtabula to Columbiana counties along state Route 11.

The involved organizations are the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Columbiana County Port Authority, Columbiana County Office of Economic Development, the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center and the Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County.

The agencies will meet regularly to discuss assets and opportunities, as well as how the groups can better coordinate development.

“With several common driver industries throughout the region, such as automotive, primary/fabricated metals and agriculture, the group is looking to build upon past successes,” said Regional Chamber chief operating officer Sarah Boyarko in a statement. “With a variety of existing supply chain connections in these industries, we’re actively working to increase important conversations among the companies located in the region; identify unique ways to attract new investment to our four counties; and target greater growth in industries that include plastics and petrochemicals and electric vehicle production.”

The five-agency group has already started reaching out to companies in targeted industries and national and international site consultants. 

“The Lake to River Partners represent a 100-mile, infrastructure-rich corridor providing manufacturers a uniquely competitive region from which to operate and connect with domestic and international markets via the Great Lakes and Ohio River,” said Greg Myers, executive director of the Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County.

Added Penny Traina, CEO and executive director of the Columbiana County Port Authority, “Collaboration among our partners in this region will strengthen us all.”

Source: Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.