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State funds to jump-start city projects
By DAVID SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
The city is receiving $570,000 from a state grant to clean up a former asphalt plant and demolish a structure there. The land will be used as part of V&M Star’s $650 million expansion project.
State Rep. Robert F. Hagan of Youngstown, D-60th, and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd, announced the state Clean Ohio funding for the work on Monday.
The money will be used to remove asbestos and other harmful materials from a former asphalt plant on South State Street in Girard, and then demolish the building.
“Making land usable again is always the first step toward progress, and the state should be commended for providing Clean Ohio funds so V&M can move forward with its expansion,” Schiavoni said. “This is just another addition to the positive impact V&M has already had in the Valley.”
The property is part of the nearly 200 acres V&M needs for a $650 million expansion project.
When the mill is finished at the end of 2011, it will employ 350. Building the mill creates 400 construction jobs.
“It is critically important that environment concerns be removed from this parcel of land, and I am pleased that the state is helping with this effort,” Hagan said. “This project is a central step in V&M Star’s expansion and in the economic development and job creation of Youngstown.”
Also Monday, the state Controlling Board approved providing $350,000 to the Youngstown Business Incubator.
It is the incubator’s annual state funding, said Jim Cossler, the facility’s director. The money is used for general operations such as salaries, overhead and maintenance, he said.
The incubator must at least match the state funding to receive the money, Cossler said.