YOUNGSTOWN - Efforts to revitalize Downtown Youngstown are gaining momentum, thanks to a $50,000 JobsOhio grant and an additional $50,000 in matching funds from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Foundation. These funds will support a strategic reboot plan aimed at reshaping Downtown Youngstown’s future, according to a local economic development corporation.

The funding for this revitalization plan was championed by Lake to River, a private nonprofit economic development organization dedicated to accelerating business growth and job creation across Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties.

JobsOhio is assisting a Pre-Project Planning Grant, part of a program designed to help communities move projects from the idea stage to implementation. This initiative aims to attract future investment, business activity, and job creation. Notably, the $50,000 grant for Downtown Youngstown's revitalization is the largest awarded since the program’s launch in 2019.

“JobsOhio’s Planning Grant is intended to uplift downtown Youngstown in the short term while empowering a local vision that can drive future economic success,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef.

Supporters believe the execution of this plan will benefit the City of Youngstown, its downtown businesses, and residents. “Achieving sustainable, long-term success for our downtown district requires a comprehensive strategic plan that includes broad representation and input from our stakeholders,” said Stephanie Gilchrist, Director of Economic Development for the City of Youngstown.

Lake to River emphasizes that this reboot plan is a crucial first step toward renewed economic development in the city. “This project represents the first of many successes we anticipate in the coming months, not just for Lake to River, but also for the local business and community leaders who advocated for our JobsOhio region,” said Alexa Sweeney Blackann, Interim CEO of Lake to River.

The Regional Chamber will co-lead the project by engaging with key stakeholders in Downtown Youngstown. The focus will be on creating a locally tailored plan, advocating for incentives and business attraction, and identifying sector gaps for future growth.

The Economic Action Group (EAG) developed the “Reboot Strategy/Re-Envision Plan” and will facilitate its execution. Nick Chretien, EAG’s co-founder and executive director, also serves as the regional planning and development manager for the Western Reserve Port Authority.

The two-phase plan begins with the development of the reboot strategy, which will involve engaging with local businesses and stakeholders to address immediate needs, restore confidence, and activate downtown through focused programming using existing assets.

Phase two, the “Downtown Re-Envision” component, will focus on creating a comprehensive long-term vision and action plan to foster a vibrant, resilient downtown through strategic investments in people, place-making, and sustainable programming while continuing to leverage existing assets. This phase will also seek additional funding sources for implementation.

Additional support for this project comes from the Downtown Revitalization Committee.