Youngstown featured in New York Times

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown made national headlines Monday with The New York Times story on the energy boom’s rebuilding manufacturing in the area.

The story, written by Nelson D. Schwartz, highlights the recent developments and expansions of manufacturing companies in the area related to the oil and gas industry.

“Here in Ohio, in an arc stretching south from Youngstown past Canton and into the rural parts of the state where much of the natural gas is being drawn from shale deep underground, entire sectors like manufacturing, hotels, real estate and even law are being reshaped,” Schwartz writes. “A series of recent economic indicators, including faculty hiring, shows momentum building nationally in the manufacturing sector.”

Sarah Boyarko, vice president of economic development for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, said the chamber worked with Schwartz to show him the community and what is happening here.

“[It] certainly always is a plus to get information out about the area and the great things going on here,” Boyarko said. “He really wanted to hear the whole story.”

Schwartz spent several days in the area and toured various parts, Boyarko said.

Outside of mentioning Vallourec’s investment here and Exterran’s, the article also mentions America Makes, the first additive-manufacturing hub in the U.S., and Kravitz Delicatessen in Liberty.

The story also discusses the project to convert the downtown Stambaugh Building into a 120-room hotel.

“It’s another positive story,” Boyarko said. “People are noticing and paying attention to what is going on in the Valley.”