A brand-new tech company focused on sustainability and data security has launched in downtown Warren on Wednesday.

GreenBoard IT was founded by Mike Martof, Chuck George and Wiley Runnerstrand to serve the area for recycling electronics while protecting customer information through industry-leading data sanitization methods.

The company's mission is to educate businesses and consumers on simple, secure and sustainable e-waste disposal, working with almost all types of e-waste including PCs, laptops, servers, computer monitors and screens, cables and wires, networking gear, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and printers.

"We saw a need for a local provider who could support the area with recycling needs and thought this was a great way for us to invest in the downtown area, provide an employment opportunity and begin building a circular economy for electronics in the Valley," said Wiley Runnerstrand.

GreenBoard has already invested over $800,000 in real estate and facility improvements. The team secured 817 E. Market St. which was previously owned by the Carrier Services Group and was previously a distribution point for Berk Paper and Supply. 

The founders chose to operate in Warren because of their personal connections to the Valley and the local support from the region including Warren Mayor William "Doug" Franklin, the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber, BRITE Energy Innovators and the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI).

"We are all from here: Brookfield and Bazetta. We want to be a part of the growing community. This company is a way for us to invest in and be a part of the economic development happening in the region. We are thrilled with the level of local support and look forward to playing our part in the community," Chuck George said.

The company plans to employ 10 staff members before the end of 2022, all of whom will work out of the Warren facility.