Mahoning commissioners to consider support of additive Faire

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County commissioners will consider spending up to $20,000 in hotel bed tax revenues in connection with the Youngstown Maker City Initiative, a four-day, 3-D manufacturing gathering beginning July 31.

The proposal is on the agenda for the commissioners’ meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday in the county courthouse basement.

The gathering, known as the Youngstown Maker Faire, which will be based at America Makes, the 3-D manufacturer in downtown Youngstown, is expected to draw about 400 attendees from across the country.

“The county bed tax money is designed to promote travel and tourism through the Mahoning Valley,” and this is the first-ever event of its kind in Youngstown, said Barbara Ewing, chief operating officer of the Youngstown Business Incubator, where America Makes is a tenant.

“This gives us an opportunity to put Youngstown in the spotlight and showcase it to show what a hub of additive manufacturing this area is becoming,” said Linda Macala, county convention and visitors’ bureau director.

This event and those that follow could generate local economic development if new businesses decide to locate here, she said.

Read more about the event in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.