YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – As newly elected officials prepare to take office across the Mahoning Valley, the Local Government Leadership Academy is returning to equip them with the knowledge, tools and relationships needed to lead effectively from Day One. Anthony Trevena, executive director of the Western Reserve Port Authority, and Lyle Huffman, executive vice president of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, discuss why the academy is more important than ever.
Huffman explains that the program was revitalized after local officials expressed the need for guidance on public meetings, record retention and how state capital budgets operate. “Running for office is easy. Governing is hard,” he says. “You need to understand the laws, what you can and can’t do and how those decisions affect your community.”
Trevena adds that the Mahoning Valley’s economic momentum — fueled by partnerships with agencies such as Lake to River, Eastgate and the Regional Chamber— makes it essential that local leaders understand how these entities intersect. “For newly elected officials to understand who does what and when to call us is really effective,” he says.
The academy will cover critical topics including governance, legal responsibilities, economic development, public policy, behavioral health, child care, transportation and cross-agency collaboration. Huffman notes that the goal is not just to educate but to give officials actionable tools: “We want something that has tangible results to positively impact their community.”
To learn more about the academy and to sign up, click HERE.