Work has already started on the next phase of the downtown renovation

By Don Shilling

Work has already started on the next phase of the downtown renovations.

YOUNGSTOWN — The president who is leading the explosive growth of Turning Technologies used one phrase over and over as he marked the opening of his company’s new headquarters.

“They said it couldn’t be done,” Mike Broderick said to about 200 people who gathered Monday outside the Taft Technology Center building for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

People doubted the success of the company and the West Federal Street building, he said.

He and two others formed the company in October 2001. That was 30 days after the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks and soon after the collapse of the dot-com economy.

“They said it couldn’t be done,” he said.

He added that people doubted that the Youngstown Business Incubator, where Turning Technologies got its start, could succeed in growing business-to-business software companies. He noted that people doubted a global technology company could be built in Youngstown.

“They said it couldn’t be done,” he said.

Turning Technologies, which makes audience response systems, two weeks ago moved into the new building as a rent-paying tenant. The company has 130 local employees and generated $28 million in revenue last year.

“They said it couldn’t be done, but we’ve done it, folks,” Broderick said.

He added, however, that more growth is coming, both for the company and for downtown.

“We’re just getting started,” he said.

Turning Technologies is continuing to grow its business of supplying systems for schools, universities and corporate training events. Its sales to other countries is expanding and will be more than $6 million this year.

Broderick said the new building will hold about 200 employees, and he expects Turning Technologies to reach that size in 2009 or 2010.

As for downtown, work is continuing on creating a “tech block” on West Federal Street.

The incubator and Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp. have secured $2.75 million in state funds to continue the work.

“You are not even catching your breath,” former Gov. Bob Taft said.

Remodeling of the Semple Building, which is adjacent to the Taft building, is under way. Part of it will be used as a warehouse for Turning Technologies, and the rest for other companies.

Demolition of the Armed Forces Building and State Theater are planned for this summer. Downtown officials hope to eventually put up another technology building there, but the area will be used for parking in the short term.

The next step in the plan is secure funding for the renovations of the Wells Building, which would be used for offices for technology companies.

Broderick said he can see the day when thousands of workers will be employed by technology companies on the block.

shilling@vindy.com