YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Northeastern Ohio is on the rise, powered by a bold new player in the state’s economic development landscape.
Lake to River, the region’s newly minted JobsOhio partner, is leading the charge across Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties, says interim executive director Alexa Sweeney Blackann.
With a laser focus on site development, business attraction and workforce growth, Lake to River is helping rewrite the region’s economic story and shape its future, she says.
Lake to River is a private, nonprofit group with seven employees at its downtown Youngstown headquarters.
It launched operations in 2024 following the community’s successful lobbying effort to establish a standalone JobsOhio region. This was no small feat. It involved collaboration among community and business leaders up and down the state Route 11 corridor.
A critical achievement was securing Ohio’s largest-ever JobsOhio Pre-Project Planning Grant for a $100,000 revitalization plan in downtown Youngstown, a crucial step toward transforming the urban core. Additional wins could arrive in the near future, Sweeney Blackann says.
Lake to River also received $100,000 commitments from Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and the Western Reserve Port Authority, as well as a $45,000 contribution from Huntington Bank.
As a JobsOhio partner, Lake to River employs a private, nonprofit funding model that distinguishes Ohio’s economic development efforts from its competitors. This structure allows development to move at the speed of business, according to JobsOhio, and focus resources without the constraints of government bureaucracy.
Lake to River is poised to build on this momentum in the new year, Sweeney Blackann says. It has made site development, workforce growth and business attraction its priorities. Efforts are being made to prepare industrial sites across the four counties that meet the needs of major employers seeking to expand or relocate.
Additionally, workforce initiatives will be complemented by collaborations with partner institutions such as Goodwill Industries, the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition and Flying High.
Prospective investments worth tens of millions of dollars are in the pipeline, targeting businesses in the advanced manufacturing, logistics and technology sectors, Sweeney Blackann says.
With a direct line to JobsOhio and state leaders, the Lake to River region is no longer a subsidiary voice in a larger network. This autonomy allows it to advocate for local needs and tailored solutions. Gov. Mike DeWine’s public commitment to Lake to River’s success underscores its pivotal role.
“The Lake to River region is entering an era of transformation, fueled by collaboration, innovation and unwavering resolve,” Sweeney Blackann says. “We invite you to join us in shaping the future of Eastern Ohio – a future that reflects the boundless potential of our communities, businesses and people.”