VIENNA TWP., Ohio - The Youngstown Air Reserve Station's (YARS) annual economic impact on the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys increased for the sixth consecutive year to $137.3 million.

The Eastern Ohio Military Affairs Commission (EOMAC) and Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber made the announcement Tuesday. 

"With tremendous support from our state and federal government officials, as well as organizations throughout the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys, we continue to make significant progress at YARS," EOMAC Director Vito Abruzzino said. "The best is yet to come."

He pointed out that funding for four new C-130J aircraft was secured in the latest National Defense Authorization Act.

Advocacy work is underway to have those planes assigned to YARS and secure funding for four more.

The station also has the Department of Defense's only large-area fixed-wing aerial spray capability to control disease-carrying insects, pest insects and undesirable vegetation, as well as to disperse oil spills in large bodies of water. 

"The Valley is fortunate to have such a strong collaborative effort between Abruzzino, our Congressional delegation and our state leaders. This track record of success speaks volumes and gives us reason for optimism that the future looks even better," said Regional Chamber President & CEO Guy Coviello. 

Coviello pointed out that when the Regional Chamber founded EOMAC in 2015, the economic impact of YARS was barely more than $90 million.

In addition to EOMAC's effort, the air station has been the top public policy priority during the Chamber's annual Columbus Drive-In and D.C. Fly-In advocacy days.

"This is remarkable news and just goes to show the positive impact the Chamber and EOMAC have had on our region," State Sen. Michael Rulli said. "Vito and Guy have worked tirelessly to ensure that YARS has strong
advocacy in both Columbus and Washington, D.C. I am excited to see what we can do to expand these economic benefits in this year's state budget."

According to a report by the 910th Tactical Airlift Wing, the economic impact includes more than 2,000 employees and $103 million in payroll.

It cites an additional $21 million in military expenditures.

The report states that federal assets at the station include 321 acres, 71 buildings and eight aircraft with a total value of more than $1 billion.

Over the past four years, the state has invested $750,000 in EOMAC, which worked with Ohio's Congressional
delegation to produce hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment.

Local organizations including the Western Reserve Port Authority, Trumbull 100, Youngstown Air Base Community Council and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio have contributed to the effort.

EOMAC has also worked to help generate tens of millions in federal investment at the James A. Garfield Joint
Military Training Center, which pumps approximately $40 million annually into the local economy.

State Rep. Michael Loychik introduced legislation to increase state support for EOMAC to $500,000 in each of the next two fiscal years.

"As a former military service member and as vice-chair of our Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee, I'm pleased to announce this amendment I've proposed for increased financial assistance of these two military facilities within our region of the state," Loychik said. "The $500,000 proposed each fiscal year would really help the military assets and the military members serving here in northeast Ohio."