Downtown Youngstown businesses form coalition to stay afloat

While demolition of the Realty Building is underway, a good portion of downtown Youngstown remains closed, with businesses in the area feeling the impact.
As a result, many of the owners are coming together to form a coalition in an effort to help themselves.
They tell 21 News they want their voices to be heard, so they formed the Merchants Association.
"(We're) trying to encourage people to come back downtown to experience the products that we have to offer," Jeff Kurz said, owner of Imbibe Martini Bar and member of the Merchants Association.
Kurz said help has come in from the local, state and federal level and it's made him hopeful.
"They're trying to get us designated for disaster relief," Kurz said. "What that would do is, we've been talking to people on Capitol Hill to try get that done and once that happens, it opens up avenues for low interest loans to help the businesses," he said.
Kurz tells 21 News he is confident they'll get that disaster relief.
"What it does more importantly is it'll open up more avenues for state government, regional government, local government, to pass legislation and work with the SBA, work with some local entities like Valley Partners, to try to open up more funding for the businesses here," Kurz said.
Kurz said ultimately, the group wants the community to see that downtown Youngstown is a safe and desirable place to be.