Inaugural CASTLO awards to be presented Tuesday

Former Ohio State Sen. Harry Meshel will receive special recognition.

STAFF REPORT

STRUTHERS — The inaugural CASTLO Community Improvement Corporation Recognition Awards will be presented at a 10:30 a.m. ceremony Tuesday at CASTLO Industrial Park.

The purpose of the event, which begins at 10 a.m. with refreshments, is to recognize businesses, organizations and individuals for their civic leadership and contributions to the positive growth and development of the five CASTLO communities — Campbell, Struthers, Lowelville, and Poland and Coitsville townships — organizers said.

This year’s recipients are:

UBusiness: Aqua Ohio, a private water company.

UOrganization: Struthers Rotary Club.

UIndividuals: Frank DiVito and Alan Donatelli of DonaVito’s Italian Grille; Jon Jacobec and Eric Ryan of Fat E’s Attic & Grille, and Brian Palumbo of Selah Cafe.

Special recognition will be afforded former Ohio State Sen. Harry Meshel, who was instrumental in the formation of CASTLO.

The CASTLO CIC is governed by a board of trustees of community leaders and elected local officials, which owns and operates the 120-acre CASTLO Industrial Park, 100 S. Bridge St., the site of the former Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.’s Struthers Works. Nearly $5 million has been invested to clean up the site and develop the industrial park.

The board is empowered to negotiate lease agreements with companies that will create new jobs, preserve current jobs and employment opportunities and otherwise improve economic conditions in the five CASTLO communities.