2010: A year of promise, challenges in the Valley

When the Chevrolet Cruze rolls off the assembly line in General Motors’ Lordstown plant later this year, the event will be an exclamation point for the Mahoning Valley’s participation in the global economy. The Cruze is GM’s bid in the high stakes compact car competition. And, the company is also betting that its Lordstown assembly facility will deliver cars that excel both in quality and performance.

But it isn’t only the Cruze that holds such promise for the the region this year. If the parent company of V&M Star Steel of Youngstown decides to proceed with the almost $1 billion expansion project in Youngstown/Girard, it will be an international story. After all, Vallourec is headquartered in Paris, France, and there are other regions in the U.S. and South America bidding for the state-of-the-art steel making facility.

The cities of Youngstown and Girard have joined forces to provide the land and other incentives to lure Vallourec, while the state of Ohio, under the direction of Gov. Ted Strickland, and the federal government, through the efforts of Congressman Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, have also made a financial commitment to the project.

Vallourec executives met recently with Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams — in Paris — and indicated that the decision to proceed depends on the recovery of the global economy. They also said that what Youngstown and Girard did in addressing the company’s needs has resonated with the board of directors.

Imagine, therefore, President Barack Obama standing beside mayors Williams and James Melfi of Girard, saying that his administration is committed to helping Vallourec’s expansion plans in the Valley become a reality. Fantasy? Not if Youngstown’s mayor has his way. Williams is working with White House officials to finalize a presidential visit in the spring.

On the other hand, Obama could visit Valley and talk about how the Chevrolet Cruz and V&M Star Steel’s new plant (assuming a decision has been made) are a reflection of this region’s steely determination to be a player in the new economy.

YSU presidency

The year will also bring a new president to Youngs-town State University, which has an important role in the recovery of the Valley. However, YSU must also establish its position in the overall scheme of higher education in Ohio developed by Gov. Strickland and Chancellor Eric Fingerhut. Every state college and university has been asked to justify its existence and identify areas of study that separate it from the rest.

It is a tall order for an open admission, urban university like YSU, which is why the appointment of a new president by the board of trustees is so important. The four finalists for the job will meet the university community and the community at large this month.

There are challenges that will test the Valley this year, foremost of which is the financial meltdown of governments at all levels. With tax revenues declining and support from the state and federal governments being cut, the public sector has no choice but to do more with less. And, because more than 80 percent of the operating budgets go toward employee salaries and benefits, layoffs, wage freezes and other concessions are inevitable.

Another major challenge will be the restoration of the Youngstown city school system, which is in fiscal emergency and has been judged the worst academic performing district in the state of Ohio. Two state commissions now have the responsibility for guiding the system’s recovery.

Mayor Williams has said he intends to become directly involved in the development of an academic recovery plan for the district and insists on the academic commission play a leading role, as opposed to a supportive one.

In the Chinese calendar, 2010 is the year of the Tiger, but considering what has happened to the world’s most famous Tiger (as in Woods), we offer this designation for the Mahoning Valley: 2010 — The year of moving forward boldly.