Post missed the real story

Post missed the real story

EDITOR:

The Washington Post front page article “Beyond Repair” (printed in The Vindicator Dec. 20) labeling the Youngstown-Warren area and the respective communities in between “as a waste land with no cure in sight” is a gross misrepresentation of an area that has struggled, but also survived the seismic shift from U.S. to foreign manufacturing and steel production. Granted this area has been hit hard by the current recession, and in some ways felt the blow more acutely, but there is so much good that is also happening here it is a shame to have seen such a negative report on what is also an area of incredible opportunity, as echoed in a cover report by Entrepreneur Magazine.

If reporters Anne Hull or Julie Van Tate had taken the time to call at least one community leader such as Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Congressman Tim Ryan, Chamber of Commerce President Tom Humphries or one of several dozen business owners or real estate developers, they would have had at the very least received a more accurate assessment of the local economy and a more accurate accounting of the many recent achievements of the area as a whole. Although unemployment remains high during these times, not everyone here is pawning gold for cash.

The article’s reference to the “gym” at the Eastwood Mall failed to recognize that the mall with its contiguous parcels and many national tenants is one of the largest shopping centers in the United States. It has also been very well maintained over the years by its Youngstown-based owner, the Cafaro Co.

Lordstown has been awarded production of the Chevy Cruze, the car that will make or break General Motors. After lengthy negotiations, the area is waiting on a final announcement from French based V&M Star that they are going to build a $750 billion pipe mill in Youngstown and Girard to service the international gas and oil exploration business.

And what of downtown’s Youngstown Incubator project, a brand new office facility which houses tenants with an emphasis on hi-tech and green technology, responsible for the employment of hundreds of skilled workers in the area? Or the positive impact of Youngstown State University and its continued expansion of programs or the new Covelli Centre? We saw no mention either of new upscale condominium development downtown or revitalized restaurant and night life.

Businesses that recently entered the region or expanded include:

UVXI, a Los Angeles company, placed a mega call center in Youngstown.

UMillwood, local company purchased and expanded into former Delphi office and also purchased a cargo building at the regional airport for the research and development of packaging systems.

UPatriot Special Metals, new plant for steel production in North Jackson.

UExal Can Company, proposed expansion in Youngstown.

As a third generation business owner of a commercial/industrial real estate brokerage company, member of the Chamber of Commerce and member of the Western Reserve Port Authority, I was saddened and disappointed by this one-sided article. The writers missed the real story in Youngstown, an area of incredible strength of community, talent, commitment and opportunity that is ripe with dedicated American workers eager to see more business open their doors in the area.

SCOTT LEWIS

Youngstown

X The writer is broker/owner of Edward J. Lewis Inc., with offices in Youngstown and Warren.