Study suggests ways to help Valley’s economy

YOUNGSTOWN — A study of the Mahoning Valley’s financial climate urges organized collaboration, new ways of helping the poor, “growing” tiny companies, and seeks local, state and federal funding to turn around the area’s struggling economy.

The Raymond John Wean Foundation, in partnership with JB Morgan Chase and Turning Technologies Inc.. today released the 48-page report done by Corporation for Enterprise Development, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit organization.

The report includes a lengthy list of recommendations such as increasing the investment in youth organizations, helping renters who incur large housing cost burdens, and helping Latinos advance economically by providing program materials in Spanish.

Over the years, many reports recommending improvements to the Valley have stalled.

But that won’t happen with this proposal, said Joel Ratner, the Wean Foundation’s president.

“We will be the safeguard against the report sitting on the shelf,” he said. “We will use it as a guide” over the next few years. “It’s an action plan.”

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