Valley reps, chamber work together

By Kalea Hall

khall@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

When it comes to the collaboration between Mahoning Valley state representatives and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, state Rep. Sean O’Brien thinks it just makes sense.

“The chamber does its own form of lobbying, and they try to create economic development, and so do we,” he said. “By everyone maximizing their effectiveness, I think we will be able to create much more economic impact in our areas.”

State Reps. O’Brien, of Bazetta, D-63rd; Ronald V. Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th; Michael O’Brien of Warren, D-64th; and Michele Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, have joined with the chamber to “advance the community’s legislative priorities during the 2015-16 Ohio General Assembly.”

Priority issues initially identified by the Valley State Delegation Working Group include workforce development, drug addiction and its association with workforce development, Ohio Common Core education standards and preparing the community for a possible state capital budget and a state capital budget for the arts.

“There were a lot of issues discussed, and these were the ones we unanimously agreed on,” said Guy Coviello, vice president of government affairs and media for the chamber.

The group had its first meeting in January after the chamber organized it. O’Brien brought the initial idea to the chamber.

“I was impressed at how enthusiastic everyone was at working together,” Coviello said.

The goal is to also invite state Sens. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd; Capri Cafaro of Liberty, D-32nd; and state Rep. Tim Ginter of Salem, R-5th, to the group.

“When we work with the local chambers, it enhances our understanding the needs of the community,” Lepore-Hagan said.