Sen. Sherrod Brown to speak in Mahoning Valley

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U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Avon)

YOUNGSTOWN — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will visit the Mahoning Valley on Thursday to discuss how the federal government can help low- and moderate-income people reduce rising heating costs and provide financial assistance to economic development projects.

Brown, a Democrat from Avon, will announce plans at 10:15 a.m. to seek an increase in federal funding for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program. The event is to be held outside the offices of the Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership on East Federal Street in Youngstown.

Heating bills are expected to be 10 percent higher this winter than the last one, according to Brown’s office.

The senator will also discuss efforts to restore funding for the Community Services Block Grant, which helps agencies such as MYCAP provide assistance to residents.

Brown will hold a roundtable discussion at 11:30 a.m. at the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency Center on South Market Street.

Brown will meet with Columbiana County business and community leaders to discuss local economic development and how the federal government can provide financial assistance.