Commissioners anticipate benefits from Pa. ‘racino’

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners have unanimously endorsed an initiative of the Coitsville Township trustees for a U.S. Route 422 economic development strategy, in anticipation of construction of the Valley View Downs racetrack and casino just across the Pennsylvania line.

Also collaborating in this effort will be Youngstown, Campbell, CASTLO, the Regional Chamber, the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, and Youngstown State University’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies.

Anthony T. Traficanti, chairman of the county commissioners, said he envisions stores, restaurants and hotels along U.S. Route 422 (McCartney Road), which will be the main route to the proposed Lawrence County racino complex.

To promote development, Traficanti said his goal is to extend public water and sewer lines from where they currently end near the Youngstown city limits to the Ohio-Pennyslvania line.

“For too long, I believe the East Side of Youngstown has been ignored. I think the spinoff with development along that corridor will be wonderful for that portion of Mahoning County,” Traficanti said.

Read more in Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com