Some area politicians and business officials back state proposal to borrow $400 million

YOUNGSTOWN — Local political and business officials today backed an issue on the Nov. 4 ballot to permit the state to borrow $400 million to clean up polluted, abandoned industrial sites as well as to preserve farmland and increase recreational space.

State Issue 2 on the ballot, called Continue Clean Ohio by its supporters, would continue a program first approved in 2000 by voters. The program to borrow $400 million went into effect in 2001 and is set to expire at the end of the year.

During that time, more than $9 million went to projects in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

“Through the Clean Ohio program, communities like Youngstown are able to take advantage of underutilized property and use it to preserve and create jobs, while also preserving green space and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Ohio,” said state Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th.

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