YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A coalition that includes Youngstown CityScape, area manufacturers and the cities of Youngstown and Girard will lead a community cleanup this weekend focusing on the U.S. Route 422 industrial corridor.

The 422 United: Clean & Green Cleanup will take place Saturday morning, coinciding with 2025 World Cleanup Day. Volunteers will meet at Stambaugh Park in Girard for the cleanup, which will run until noon, followed by lunch at Stambaugh Park.

“We look forward to joining with neighbors, businesses and organizations in a shared mission to beautify our community,” Sharon Letson, Youngstown CityScape executive director, said in a news release announcing the event. “We are energized to partner with Vallourec, the cities of Youngstown and Girard, Metalico Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition in this global event.”

Several people involved with organizing the event pointed to Julie Sole, director of Vallourec’s North America operational project management office, as playing a key role in their involvement.

Adam Lee, program director for Youngstown CityScape, and Alex Hertzer, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers, each said they decided to participate based on conversations with Sole, who serves on the boards of both organizations.

“We were chatting about their participation with different stuff going on in the city,” including cleanups, tree plantings and downtown-related activities, Lee said.

Sole informed Lee that Vallourec, as an international company, recognizes World Cleanup Day and has plans down the road to do an installation of antique steel ladles on Route 422 near its plant.

That spurred further discussion about collaborating with other area stakeholders on a cleanup. Those involved in the discussions also included Youngstown Councilwoman Samantha Turner, 3rd Ward, and Girard Councilman Tom Grumley, 4th Ward.

“Our team at Vallourec Star has long been engaged in cleanup efforts around the Briar Hill area, and this initiative builds on that legacy,” Gary Hauck, Vallourec Star president, said in an emailed statement. “We believe in taking action to improve the neighborhoods where we operate, and this event is a powerful way to bring people together for a shared purpose.”

He also said Vallourec was “proud to be a driving force” behind the 422 United initiative.

“We’re not just participating – we’re partnering with local organizations and helping to put this event together as part of our commitment to environmental responsibility and community revitalization in Youngstown,” he said. 

Hertzer said it’s the type of event in which MVMC likes to see its members involved.

“Just from an organization standpoint, we’re always proud to see our board members and our members standing up to make an impact in the community, even if that’s outside workforce development,” Hertzer said.

Hauck agrees.

“Many of our employees, including members of our leadership team, will be out there, rolling up their sleeves and taking part in the cleanup,” he said. “It’s a meaningful way for our team to show up for the community and contribute to a cleaner, more vibrant Youngstown.

Sole reached out to MVMC to get the organization involved, Hertzer said. The Route 422 corridor is “important to manufacturing in our community,” but the cleanup provided an opportunity to promote other positive aspects of manufacturing, such as Vallourec’s focus on green energy.

“So anything we can do to help people realize there’s more to manufacturing,” he said.

Grumley, who is Metalico’s operations manager, also organizes an Earth Day cleanup event in Girard’s 4th Ward, said Mark Chapman, assistant general manager at Metalico. Chapman met Sole when both participated in the most recent Leadership Mahoning Valley program and learned that Vallourec did the World Cleanup Day event.

“We got to talking and thought we could definitely connect Girard’s 4th Ward cleanup area with Vallourec’s Division Street and Ohio Works Drive cleanup area,” he said. “That started Julie getting others involved to create a 422 Corridor Cleanup event.” 

The plan is to cover the neighborhood around Stambaugh Park and have a crew move along Route 422 toward Division Street, clearing up the area, Lee said. 

“What we’re looking for is for companies and for people to volunteer that day and really to stand up,” Hertzer said.

Another component of the initiative is to “be really intentional” about assigning volunteers, he continued. “If they are a potential job seeker, we might make sure they’re in the Vallourec group,” he said.

Hauck said the initiative reflects what matters to Vallourec: taking responsibility, working together and showing pride in the community. 

“We’re honored to help lead this effort and work alongside our neighbors to make a visible, lasting impact in the 422 corridor,” he said.