Williams to Headline Inaugural City Club Panel
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A Sept. 21 panel discussion on economic development headlined by U.S. Economic Development Secretary Jay Williams will launch the inaugural season of programming for the newly formed City Club of The Mahoning Valley.
Organizers of the club have partnered with the City Club of Cleveland to start a chapter of the nonpartisan forum for debate and exchange of ideas. They will formally announce plans for the organization at a news conference this morning at Stambaugh Auditorium.
“We know the time is right for a forum like this in the Mahoning Valley. We’re experiencing new energy and innovative thinking here and we are certain the City Club will spark new connections, partnerships and projects that will capitalize on this momentum,” said Tim Francisco, a professor at Youngstown State University and director of the Center for Working Class Studies.
Other organizers include Phil Kidd, founder of Defend Youngstown; Gary Sexton, director WYSU-FM; Terry Cloonan, local attorney and president of the Stambaugh Auditorium board of directors; Hunter Morrison of Cleveland State University’s Levin School of Urban Affairs; and Dan Moulthrop, executive director of The City Club of Cleveland.
In addition to Williams, former Youngstown mayor, the Sept. 21 panel at Stambaugh will feature state Sen. Capri Cafaro, YSU President Jim Tressel, and Tom Humphries, president and CEO of the Youngtown Warren Regional Chamber. The forum includes dinner and an open uestioqn and answer period. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $30 per person.
The inaugural season of programming runs through December. In October, the group will host a panel discussion on Ohio presidential politics featuring political reporters from across the state and Paul Sracic, YSU political science professor.
In November, Marilyn Geewax, senior business editor for National Public Radio, will discuss what the newly elected president’s platform might signal for the local and national economies.
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