Regional liaison to be appointed
New directors will provide additional support on economic development projects.
By MARC KOVAC
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- State officials hope to name a new regional director in coming weeks to act as a liaison between the governor's office and economic development efforts under way in northeastern Ohio.
Mark Barbash, who earlier this month became chief economic development officer at the Ohio Department of Development, said the position will be based in Youngstown and will complement the department's operational structure in the area.
The state already has a dozen regional economic development directors who assist in business recruitment and expansion in different parts of Ohio.
Those positions will remain, and four additional governor's regional director positions will be created in Youngstown, Toledo, Cincinnati and Cleveland, Barbash said.
Directors will continue to work with local business leaders and economic developers in securing incentives for individual projects, provide rapid outreach for workers affected by closings or layoffs and proactively engage community officials, unions and others with other business-bolstering initiatives.
More help
The four new directors will provide additional support on economic development projects, as well as initiatives involving education, health care and other priorities of the governor's office, Barbash said, adding that their efforts in the four cities ultimately will strengthen suburban and rural areas.
"You can't have [an urban core] that's hollowed out and have the rest of the area be healthy," he said. "It just doesn't work that way."
Directors already have been named in Cincinnati and Cleveland. Barbash said he hoped to have the positions filled in Youngstown and Toledo by next month.
"I hope within the next several weeks," he said, adding, "We have been very encouraged by the number of people who have expressed an interest -- people who have a real dedication to their communities."
mkovac@dixcom.com.