Openings available for 2012 Mahoning Valley Local Govt. Leadership Academy

YOUNGSTOWN — Openings are available for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s 2012 Mahoning Valley Local Government Leadership Academy.

Classes will run from Jan. 31 to March 27 for elected officials, school leaders, community organizers and local business people.

The nine-week series is geared toward helping people become effective government leaders and giving class participants a broad perspective of how local government operations should be conducted.

Since its inception in 2008, nearly 100 Mahoning Valley residents have graduated from the course.

Classes are on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m., with a light dinner at 5:30 p.m., in the Regional Chamber offices, First National Tower, 11 Central Square, Suite 1600, in downtown Youngstown.

Class participants must attend at least seven of the nine classes to graduate. Cost is $250. A graduation dinner will be April 17.