Tell federal officials to renew contract for private prison in city

Tell federal officials to renew contract for private prison in city

As 2014 draws to a close and the Federal Bureau of Prisons grows closer to deciding whether or not to renew its contract with the Corrections Corporation of America’s Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, we wanted to reiterate our support for CCA and its employees.

Just as importantly, we are also urging the residents of the Mahoning Valley to join us in letting the BOP know that CCA’s continued presence is critically important to the future of our community — something they can do easily by logging onto www.jobsforyoungstown.com

We’re asking people to register their support for CCA because there’s a lot riding on the BOP’s decision:

More than 400 good-paying jobs.

Millions of dollars in taxes that help fund our schools, our first responders and other vital government services.

Millions more in goods and services the company purchases from local and regional companies each year.

The thousands of hours and dollars CCA and NEOCC workers contribute to local causes and charities including the Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters — just to name a few.

In addition to the substantial economic impact CCA has had on the Valley — a total of $180 million since 2005 — the company has proven to be a responsible and responsive corporate citizen. CCA management has worked closely with federal, state, and local elected officials to ensure that the facility is operated safely and in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.

As a result, CCA has earned our trust and our enthusiastic support for its campaign to win a new BOP contract.

As company officials have said repeatedly over the past six months, a strong demonstration of public support for the NEOCC and the men and women who work in the facility could be the factor that determines whether CCA prevails in the bidding process. So please, take a moment to make a difference: log on to www.jobsforyoungstown.com and make your voice heard.

John A. McNally and Robert F. Hagan, Youngstown

John A. McNally is mayor of the city of Youngstown; Robert F. Hagan is the Democratic state representative from the 58th District..