Regional entity could play role in V&M Star expansion project

If there’s strength in numbers, then very big numbers could mean herculean power. Thus the question: Can 32 counties in four states find happiness in a regional planning endeavor? The participants include Mahoning, Columbiana and three other counties in Ohio, and Mercer, Lawrence and 13 other counties in Pennsylvania.

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams is a strong advocate of “Power of 32,” which has four main goals: Create a shared vision and shared agenda; instill a sense of realistic optimism; inspire cross-sector leadership; and, connect people, communities and institutions.

Williams was contacted about two years ago by Pittsburgh city executives who asked if he would be interested in participating in a major initiative with far-reaching implications. After several conversations, Williams not only agreed to participate, but he now sits on the steering committee.

With counties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland covering 17,380 square miles and accounting for a population of 4,137,640, the strength of the region is evident. “Power of 32” is housed at the University of Pittsburgh and is governed by an 11-member executive committee and 60-member steering committee. There is a regional chairman and an executive director.

The two-year project will focus on an agenda that is developed from priorities articulated by tens of thousands of people. Community conversations began this summer in every county, in which people identify strengths, challenges and possibilities facing the region.

This fall, public options that build on the region’s assets and opportunities will be developed to address the top challenges identified during the community forums.

Then next year, town meetings will be held in multiple locations and linked by webcast technology to prioritize the policy options.

To put the regional initiative in perspective, consider the $650 million V&M Star expansion project. The state-of-the-art pipe manufacturing facility being built on land spanning the cities of Youngstown and Girard by Vallourec, the French parent of V&M, has major development and economic potential.

The company is building the new mill because of an expected jump in demand for drilling pipe tailored for natural-gas exploration.

Marcellus Shale

Advanced drilling techniques have opened new natural-gas fields, including the Marcellus Shale, a giant field that is under eastern Ohio, much of Pennsylvania and nearby states.

The new mill will be designed to produce the high-grade, smaller-diameter pipe exploration required by the Marcellus Shale.

And while Vallourec, the cities of Youngstown and Girard, the state of Ohio and the federal government joined forces to make the project a reality, the future could certainly use the “Power of 34.”

Indeed, given the multi-state location of the Marcellus Shale field, the regional entity can play an important role in the marketing of the V&M drilling pipe. The new mill is the kind of project that defines regional economic cooperation.

It is also one that would give “Power of 32” credibility and worldwide publicity.

Having officials from Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland announcing their commitment to V&M would be huge.