Two Valley collaborative projects win Economic Future funds

A pair of Mahoning Valley government-collaborative projects finished in the money in a public vote for a share of about $300,000 to implement the proposals.

The two Valley proposals and one to create a regional fire district in portions of Cuyahoga and Lorain counties beat out the six other finalists for the money from the Fund for Our Economic Future.

The fund, which organized the contest to promote government efficiency and collaboration, made the announcement this morning. Overall, about 13,000 people voted in the contest.

The Valley projects are:

Nine communities in Mahoning and Trumbull counties collaborating with Youngstown State University to implement a Web site to market sites in those locations for economic development. The communities are Youngstown, Warren, Niles, Girard, Struthers, Campbell, Newton Falls, McDonald and Lowellville. The project will receive $57,541 from the fund.

The Mahoning County auditor’s office, Youngstown, Boardman, Austintown and the city of Canfield will share broadband technology for law enforcement, disaster recovery and general-information technology services. The project will receive $120,000 from the fund.

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