Sen. Brown’s workshop discusses stimulus package


U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Avon)
YOUNGSTOWN — Navigating through the rough waters of obtaining money from the federal stimulus package can be a challenge, particularly for those who’ve never applied for grant money before.
Because of that U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office held a workshop today at Stambaugh Auditorium to discuss how to apply for funding in the $787 billion package. About 150 people — primarily from government agencies, nonprofits, hospitals, academic institutions and small businesses — attended the Youngstown session.
Jim Converse came to see if Resettle Youngstown, an organization he’s involved with that helps improve houses on the city’s North Side, was eligible for funding. He left with plenty of questions.
“The process is geared towards career bureaucrats who like to fill out forms,” he said. “It’s a great program [the stimulus package], but it’s kind of user-hostile. It’s more for people who would rather fill out forms than get the job done.”
Peter Zeigler, project manager and grant writer for Medina Township in Medina County, came to Youngstown for the workshop.
“It’s very useful because it gives a broader spectrum of what’s out there and how to obtain the money,” said Zeigler, who worked for a Mahoning Valley advertising and consulting firm before taking the Medina job a year ago.
The session, as well as others held by Brown’s office this week, was designed “so Ohio can squeeze every last drop out of the bill and get our fair share,” said Max Blachman, the senator’s community liaison for northeast Ohio. “...There’s no easy way to this money. That’s why we want to work with you.”
For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com