Growth Report 1: Economic Action Group Targets Buildings on City’s West Side
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown-based Economic Action Group made strides in its commercial property revitalization efforts in 2022, starting work on two West Side buildings.
The EAG collaborated with the Western Reserve Port Authority and the city and county land banks in targeting properties along Mahoning Avenue and throughout the city, says Nicholas Chretien, executive director of the development agency.
Two adjacent properties at 1586 and 1588 Mahoning Ave. are in the beginning stages of their transformation into the new Voyager Coffee & Tea headquarters, with an additional space for pop-up retail and community events.
EAG also is working with the port authority to redevelop buildings at 3143 Mahoning Ave. and 1528 Mahoning Ave. (Sweet Arrangements Florist) in Youngstown.
The agency played a critical role in assisting the Mahoning County Land Bank in securing $6.9 million in demolition funds from the Ohio Department of Development, a majority of which is earmarked for blighted properties in Youngstown.
As the community emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, EAG provided support services to businesses on behalf of local governments.
It identified gaps in services and then filled them, expanding partnerships with the cities of Youngstown and Warren for the American Rescue Plan Act and economic development, as well as with Valley Partners, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and Western Reserve Port Authority.
The Economic Action Group expanded its staff in the past year, adding program manager Marquett Samuels in August, and fundraising manager Marissa McCabe early this year.
This year, EAG will create a three-year strategic plan that will steer its growth and investment in staff, programming, and the community, Chretien said.
Pictured at top: The staff, from left: Daniel Bancroft, program manager; Marquett Samuels, program manager; Nick Chretien, executive director; Tykieena Williams-Barnes, DEI intern and Rose McClurkin, community development intern.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
