South Ave. Business Association plans first meeting to plan strategies

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The first meeting of the South Avenue Business Association will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 21 at Metro Assembly Church, 2530 South Ave.

All businesses on and around South Avenue are invited to the first meeting. Representatives from FirstEnergy, Walgreens and Coca-Cola have already confirmed they will attend.

David Turner from FirstEnergy will be the event’s guest speaker. The group will urge guests to discuss issues or concerns regarding their businesses, as well as plan community events such as a second “Clean Sweep” and other projects.

Group officials hope to facilitate the continued collaboration of businesses in the area with development of the association.

The Nov. 19 robbery/homicide at a South Avenue business in particular serves as a motivation for the group to work together in hopes of helping to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

The South Avenue Business Association’s goals are to help drive crime out of its neighborhood; create a more sustainable environment for business; and speak in a unified voice about the issues that are most important to the businesses and customers of South Avenue.

If you plan to attend, contact BJ Duckworth of Coca-Cola at 330-501-1421 or email wduckworth@coca-cola.com.