Collecting debts is good; doing it in Youngstown, even better

Debt collectors get a bad rap.

To be sure, some of them cross the line from trying to collect to succeeding in harassing or intimidating. But there are laws to address excesses, and much of the overzealous behavior in the debt-collection industry has been reined in.

But debt collection is an honorable pursuit, because unpaid debt trickles down. And who does it trickle down to? To the people who pay their bills.

Sure, companies write off bad debt, but they can’t eat it all, and so they may take a loss for tax purposes or they raise their prices to the extent that they can and remain competitive. So in a way, the bill-paying, tax-paying public helps pick up the tab for those who don’t.

And just as businesses have to have a plan for dealing with debt collection, so does government.

So we were happy to see Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine in town last week when he announced that his office is launching a new program to help local governments collect debt owed to them, much of it in court fees.

This service won’t add a financial burden to state or local government; like any collection agency it will be funded from the proceeds of its work.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Collection Enforcement Section serves as the chief collection agent for all state agencies, boards, commissions, and universities. Its ability to collect debt on behalf of local government was made possible by action of the General Assembly.

Setting up shop

Collection operations for state government are headquartered in Columbus, but DeWine made the decision to place the new Local Government Collections Services Program in his Youngstown office. There are already about 35 employees here, including a contingent of BCI workers. Five employees will be added for the local government collections to start.

It makes good sense to expand in Youngstown, where the cost of living is lower and office space is obviously less expensive than in Columbus.

We have long argued that every area of the state should get a fair share of state jobs. Some outsourcing of jobs from Columbus to the four corners of the state has been feasible for years, and is becoming easier with each passing day.

DeWine should be applauded for his action in helping local governments collect money that is due them, This area should be especially happy that he’s willing to bring the new jobs — however few to start — to Youngstown.

“We could have put it anywhere, but I chose Youngstown,” he said. “This is a great facility with great people.”

It’s time for more people in Columbus to recognize that doing business in the Mahoning Valley makes sense.