Port authority to hire company to find economic director

The Western Reserve Port Authority plans Wednesday to hire a firm that will find the ideal person to serve as economic development director for Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

The firm, Heidrick & Struggles, could receive $75,000 to $100,000 for its efforts.

The Chicago-based company with offices on six continents was selected because of size, staff, experience and expertise, said Trumbull County Commissioner Paul Heltzel, a member of a port authority subcommittee that is recommending the full board hire Heidrick & Struggles.

The plan to hire the company was announced today by port authority members, local government officials and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, who’s played a role in this initiative.

If all goes according to plan, the economic development director could be on the job in three months.

The director’s annual salary will probably be more than $150,000, with Heltzel mentioning $210,000 as a figure.

The port authority oversees operation of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna. But it also has the ability to make loans through bond financing to attract companies to the Mahoning Valley, Heltzel said.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com