Local official pitches area to film location managers

The panel hired a consultant to help with budgeting and other tasks.
& lt;a href=mailto:bjackson@vindy.com & gt;By BOB JACKSON & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A local film official says the Mahoning Valley is the perfect place for Hollywood.
Richard Ouzounian, head of the recently formed Youngstown-Warren Commission, said he recently attended a conference of film location managers in Santa Monica, Calif., and pitched this area as a site for making movies and TV programs.
"There was a lot of interest," Ouzounian said. "I have never seen so many wide eyes in my entire life."
Ouzounian said it cost him about $10,000 to make the trip. He has asked local officials for contributions to help recoup his expenses. The Mahoning County Convention and Visitors Bureau approved up to $2,000 for him Thursday.
Joseph Caruso, assistant county administrator, said the panel can only reimburse Ouzounian for actual, documented expenses. Ouzounian said he will submit receipts for acceptable expenses.
Funds received
Ouzounian said he has received $2,000 from the Columbiana County Port Authority and $3,000 from a private donor. He's also seeking money from the Trumbull County visitors bureau.
Ouzounian said he used information and photographs from visitors bureaus in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, and from Salem and East Liverpool in Columbiana County, to make his presentation.
The bureau also contracted with Suzanne B. Heino of Canfield to serve as a consultant to help with budgeting, creation of a marketing plan and building a Web site, among other things. She will be paid up to $3,000 a month on a month-to-month basis for her professional services.
Heino is owner and operator of The Marketing Department and is a former executive director of the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
& lt;a href=mailto:bjackson@vindy.com & gt;bjackson@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;